1 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/memorialofrevjohOOpepp 


MEMOKIAL 

OF 

REV.  JOHN  S.  mSKIP. 


EDITED  BY 

EEV.  E.  I.  D.  PEPPEE. 

V 


Shout  unto  God  with  the  Voice  of  triumph." 

Psalm  47:  ]. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

NATIONAL  PUBLISHING  ASSOCIATION  FOR 
THE  PROMOTION  OF  HOLINESS. 


No.  921  ARCH  STREET. 


IN  MEMORY  OF  REV.  J.  S.  INSKIP. 


W.  H.  CLARK. 


PRINCE  of  royal  blood  has  gone 
^j^^        His  kingdom  to  inherit ; 
tf^^!>     And  brighter  scenes  of  glory  dawn, 
JfL  On  his  triumphant  spirit. 


With  raptured  eye,  he  now  descries 

With  more  than  mortal  vision, 
Those  glorious  mansions  in  the  skies 
And  fields  beyond  Elysian. 

Most  valiant  for  the  truth  he  stood, 

The  truth  of  God  eternal  ; 
And  taught  the  list'niug  multitude, 

To  seek  for  joys  supernal. 

The  conflict  long  and  sharp  is  o'er, 
His  latest  foe  is  vanquished  ; 

He's  landed  safe  upon  the  shore 
For  which  his  spirit  languished. 

Though  fiercely  raged  the  battle  strife 

Yet  ever  on  his  banner, 
His  motto  was  eternal  life. 

His  rallying  cry  "Hosanna." 

The  Spirit's  sword  he  knew  to  wield, 

The  enemy  confounding  ; 
But  never  knew  to  quit  the  field. 

Till  victory  was  resounding. 


Through  every  conflict,  toil  and  care. 

His  soul  anticipating, 
Has  gone  the  glorious  crown  to  wear, 

So  long  for  him  in  waiting. 
March  11th,  1884. 


In  Ifipmoriani. 

Rev.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP, 


"  Truly,  a  prince  and  a  great  man  has  fallen  in  Israel !" 


iUK  Editor-in-Chief,  Kev.  John  S.  Inskip,  President  of  the 
National  Camp-meeting  Association,  has  been  removed  from 
us  at  the  very  climax  of  his  popularity  and  power.  His 
fame  was  world-wide,  and  well-deserved.  It  was  honorable 
in  the  highest,  purest,  best  sense  of  the  word.  Perhaps  no  man,  all 
things  considered,  occupied  a  more  prominent  and  peculiar  position 
in  the  Christian  world  than  he— a  position  accorded  him  spontaneous- 
ly, continuously,  as  a  matter-of-course,  in  the  essential  fitness  of 
things.  He  stood  in  the  very  fore-front  of  "  The  Holy  War,"  a 
commander-in-chief  by  acclamation !  Genial  in  spirit ;  prepos- 
sessing in  address ;  affable  in  manners ;  winning  and  childlike  in  all 
his  ways  ;  as  fascinating  as  he  was  firm  in  his  friendships  ;  heroic  in 
soul ;  full  of  gracious,  generous,  great-hearted,  contagious  enthu- 
siasm ;  devoted  to  the  most  sublime  idea  that  can  possibly  command 
the  thought,  and  conscience,  and  heart  of  humanity ;  fully  conse- 


4 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


crated  to  God  and  His  work ;  preaching,  professing,  and  enjoying 
entire  sanctification  of  body,  soul  and  spirit ;  prodigious  in  labors ; 
abundant  in  travels ;  mighty  in  word  and  deed ;  full  of  Pentecostal 
power  in  the  pulpit;  facile  with  his  pen;  careful  in  the  minutest 
details  of  secular  and  religious  duty ;  loyal  to  the  Church  of  his 
choice,  yet  catholic  in  his  views ;  take  him  all  in  all  we  shall  not 
soon  look  upon  his  like  again. 

Who  can  ever  forget  his  almost  matchless  prayers  in  public  w^or- 
ship,  around  the  family  altar,  in  the  circle  of  his  chosen  companions 
in  labor,  amid  the  most  grievous  trials,  multiplied  discouragements 
and  perplexing  business  details?  The  sweetness,  the  pathos,  the 
comprehensiveness,  the  evident  inspiration,  the  all-conquering  faith, 
the  reverent  familiarity  with  God,  with  which  he  found  access  to 
the  throne  of  grace,  still  lingers  like  a  fragrant  memory.  How 
those  never-to-be-forgotten  appeals  for  Divine  guidance,  succor,  and 
salvation,  broadened  out  into  almost  apostolic  intercessions,  into 
almost  seraphic  supplications !  How  they  cheered  our  weary  hearts, 
inspired  our  sinking  hopes,  and  carried  wdth  them  the  almost 
prophetic  assurance  that  the  things  asked  for  would  most  surely  be 
granted.  And  were  they  not  frequently.  Divinely,  almost  miracu- 
lously fulfilled  in  the  face  of  superhuman  difiiculties,  and  appalling 
improbabilities  ?  The  place  of  business  became  a  Bethel,  as  he  be- 
sought w^isdom  from  on  high.  The  meetings  to  transact  the  tempo- 
ral affairs  of  the  Association,  seemed  to  turn  into  a  National  camp- 
meeting.  As  the  circle  was  formed,  and  hand  clasped  hand,  how 
under  his  prayers  we  came  to  see  eye  to  eye,  heart  was  melted  into 
unity  with  heart,  and 

"  Heaven  came  down  our  souls  to  greet, 
While  glory  crowned  the  mercy -seat." 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


5 


What  irresistible  exhortations  welled  up  from  the  abundance  of 
his  good  heart,  sprang  spontaneously  from  his  vivid  imagination, 
and  fell  with  thrilling  effect  from  his  burning  lips  anointed  with  the 
unction  of  the  Holy  One !  Were  there  ever  exhortations  exactly  like 
his  ?  How  his  powerful  frame  would  quiver  under  the  fervor  of  his 
own  fiery  soul !  Was  he  not  pre-eminently  adapted  to  almost  every 
occasion  ?  Was  he  not  naturally  and  graciously  equal  to  almost 
every  emergency  ?  Sometimes  thundering  with  awful  eloquence ; 
sometimes  flashing  with  the  lightnings  of  the  law  ;  sometimes  melt- 
ing all  hearts  with  the  dying  love  of  the  suffering  Son  of  God  ;  at 
other  times  exquisitely  touching  in  his  almost  womanly  tenderness  ; 
and  still  again  brimming  with  his  own  joyous  exuberance !  How  the 
proud,  the  formal,  the  sober  and  the  sanctimonious  would  reluc- 
tantly, yet  surely  crumble  imder  those  marvellous  appeals  ftill  of 
sanctified  wit  and  wisdom,  and  expand  into  a  contagious  good- 
humor!  How  the  stifi*,  stately  and  stubborn  would  bend,  and  sway 
and  bow  under  his  extraordinary  insight  into  all  phases  of  human 
nature,  and  his  equally  extraordinary  spiritual  discernment.  His 
very  pleasantry  was  ready  and  forceful ;  yet  chastened,  sanctified 
and  singularly  correspondent  to  time,  place,  persons,  and  circum- 
stances. Karely  or  never  at  a  loss ;  seldom  off  his  guard ;  full  of 
native  dignity  ;  commanding  cordial  respect ;  yet  cheering  the  grav- 
est hearts. 

Like  Alfred  Cookman,  he  bore  no  titles.  He  needed  none.  They 
would  have  been  misplaced  on  him.  He  was  commissioned  from  on 
High.  His  name  became  a  household  word.  We  admired  him. 
We  loved  him.  We  were  glad  to  be  captivated  by  his  personal  in- 
fluence. We  esteemed  it  a  high  privilege  to  be  associated  with  him 
in  his  peculiar  mission.  Personally  I  regard  it  as  a  sad  yet  precious 
Providence  that  I  have  been  called  into  my  present  position,  so  that 


6 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


I  might  be  privileged  to  pour  out  a  full,  and  loving  soul  in  testimony 
to  the  exemplary  character  and  life  of  one  whose  friendship  and 
ministry  I  prized  so  highly.  "  I  owe  unto  him  mine  own  self." 
Coming  generations  will  more  fully  appreciate  his  worth  and  his 
work.  Is  any  man  a  prophet  in  his  own  country  and  century  ?  He, 
being  dead,  Avill  continue  to  speak  in  the  ages  to  come.  Having 
been  long  and  intimately  acquainted  with  him  we  bear  emphatic 
testimony  to  his  fidelity  alike  in  things  little  and  great ;  in  matters 
temporal  and  ecclesiastical.  His  work  was  worship  ;  his  worship 
was  his  happiest,  holiest  work.  He  was  a  natural-born-orator,  a 
magnetic  preacher,  an  orthodox  theologian,  a  scriptural  expositor,  a 
safe  leader,  a  good  man  and  minister,  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Like  Timothy,  he  preached  the  word ;  he  was  instant  in 
season  and  out  of  season ;  he  reproved,  rebuked,  exhorted  with  all 
long-suffering  and  doctrine.  While  some  would  not  endure  his 
sound  doctrine,  but  after  their  own  lusts  heaped  to  themselves  teach- 
ers, having  itching  ears,  and  turned  their  ears  away  from  the  truth, 
he  nevertheless  watched  in  all  things,  endured  afflictions,  did  the 
work  of  an  evangelist,  and  made  full  proof  of  his  ministry.  A  wor- 
thy successor  was  he  to  Paul  the  apostle.  In  many  Churches,  on 
many  camp-grounds,  among  many  nations,  he  shunned  not  to  declare 
the  whole  counsel  of  God,  but  preached  Christ  as  a  present,  perfect 
and  perpetual  Saviour  ;  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost  and  evermore. 

What  effect  his  decease  will  have  upon  the  movement,  so  much  in 
his  thought,  so  dear  to  his  heart,  to  the  promotion  of  which  he  de- 
voted all  his  redeemed  energies,  and  to  which  he  finally  fell  a  mar- 
tyr, it  may  be  impossible  to  conjecture.  He  was  almost  peerless  in 
his  potent  sway  over  large  masses  of  people.  He  was  almost 
unequaled  as  a  camp-meeting  general.  His  place  it  will  be  diffi- 
cult, if  not  impossible  to  fill.     He  was  a  rare  combination  of 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


7 


commanding  qualities.  We  can  only  bow  in  unquestioning  sub- 
mission to  the  Divine  mandate  ;  we  can  only  acquiesce  without  a 
murmur  or  a  doubt  in  the  Divine  will  ;  we  can  only  cheer  our- 
selves with  the  thought  that  while  God  buries  His  workmen,  He 
carries  on  His  work.  Perhaps  Omniscience  may  call  several 
choice  spirits  to  do  the  work  so  satisfactorily  accomplished  by 
this  one,  wonderful,  many-sided  man. 

To  those  matter-of-fact  people  who  insist  that,  after  all,  the  best  of 
men  are  but  human,  and  have  their  frailties  and  imperfections  we 
can  only  say  that  like  other  truly  great  and  good  men  his  very  weak- 
nesses were  am  ong  the  strongest  points  in  his  character,  his  faults 
only  laid  the  foundation  for  firmer  friendship,  his  failures  were  so 
graceful  that  they  resolved  themselves  into  substantial  victories,  and 
his  natural  infirmities  only  displayed  more  strikingly  the  gracious 
transformation  effected  in  him  by  the  cleansing  Blood  and  the 
inward  operations  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

He  died  as  he  lived — full  of  holy  ecstasy  and  triumph.  Nothing 
aroused  him  so  quickly,  so  completely  as  prayer  and  praise.  Allu- 
sions to  Christ  and  His  c^use,  to  his  own  experience,  to  the  manifest 
and  marvellous  success  of  the  movement  to  which  he  devoted  the  lat- 
ter years  of  his  life  would  stir  him  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm. 
His  eye  would  brighten,  his  hand  would  wave,  and  his  lips  shout  and 
sing  his  fervent  faith  and  glorious  hope.  Amid  helplessness  and 
suffering,  his  mind  was  stayed  on  God.  His  sky  was  ever  bright 
as  noon,  his  soul  was  unutterably  full  of  glory  and  of  God, 
and  his  heart  was  held  continually  in  perfect  peace  and  in- 
violable patience.  No  murmurs,  no  regrets,  no  despondency, 
no  misgiving  for  one  moment  interrupted  his  complete  triumph 
in  Christ. 

What  multitudes  Avill  rise  up  to  call  him  blessed,  as  they  greet 


8 


IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


him  among  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect !  What  a  gathering 
of  the  Saints,  from  the  East,  West,  North,  South,  and  from  the  isles 
of  the  Sea,  will  cluster  once  more  around  their  Divinely  provided 
and  now  glorified  leader  who  so  constantly  called  to  them  to  come 
on  to  perfection,  to  follow  him  as  he  followed  Christ !  May  God 
keep  us  faithful  to  the  cause  he  so  successfully  championed  for  so 
many  sacred,  glorious,  Heaven-crowned  years!  "  Help,  Lord  ;  for 
the  godly  man  ceaseth !  " 

And  while  our  hearts  are  full,  our  memories  are  busy,  and  our 
thoughts  are  absorbed  with  the  translation  of  our  beloved  Brother 
Inskip,  let  us  not  forget  the  devoted  and  widowed  heart  that  hastens 
to  bury  its  grief  in  the  bosom  of  Infinite  Love.  Years  of  confiding 
tenderness  have  bound  them  almost  inseparably  together.  The  very 
grace  of  entire  sanctification  only  quickened  and  intensified  their 
natural  esteem  and  afiTection  for  each  other.  He  was  an  unusually 
affectionate  and  exemplary  husband  and  father.  With  this  devoted 
wife  he  has  been,  for  many  years,  closely,  lovingly,  joyously  linked 
in  holy  love  and  holy  labor.  At  home  and  abi'oad,  in  their  own 
land  or  at  the  ends  of  the  earth,  they  were  inseparable. 

"  Their  fears,  their  hopes,  their  aims  were  one, 
Their  comforts  and  their  cares." 

Down  to  the  very  last  moment,  in  the  sick  chamber,  around  his 
bedside,  in  the  still  hours  of  the  night,  in  the  awful  loneliness  that 
must  come  to  every  sufferer  in  such  a  Gethsemane,  she  continued 
her  tireless  solicitude,  her  ceaseless  care,  her  self-forgetful,  self- 
sacrificing  toil,  her  wifely  work  of  watching  for  the  faintest  token  of 
his  slightest  wish. 

Perhaps  she  has  thought  that  she  had  succeeded  in  schooling  her 
heart  to  meet  the  inevitable.    Perhaps  she  has  thought  that  she  was 


IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP,  9  * 


prepared  for  so  painful  a  parting.  Alas !  Who  ever  is  ready  for 
such  a  bereavement?  Like  her  husband,  strong  in  character, 
fervent  in  faith,  and  joyful  through  hope,  she  is  bearing  up  nobly 
under  this  sore  trial.  She  has  found  Christ  to  be  her  husband. 
More  than  ever  she  realizes  that  she  is  the  Bride  of  the  Lamb. 

And  yet  she  needs  the  sympathies,  the  prayers,  and  the  practical 
loving-kindness  of  the  Church  of  God.  Let  us  bear  her  up  in  the 
arms  of  our  faith  !  Let  her  feel  that  kindred  souls  are  throbbing 
in  unison  with  hers  !  Let  her  be  assured  that  the  intercessions  of 
the  saints  mingle  with  the  intercessions  of  the  Son,  and  with  the  in- 
tercessions of  the  Spirit,  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered,  in 
her  behalf!  Let  her  know  that  our  omnipotent  faith  accords  with 
hers  in  claiming  all  the  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises,  as 
yea  and  amen  in  Christ  Jesus,  that  she  may  have  a  lively  hope  of 
the  inheritance  incorruptible,  undefiled,  and  fadeless,  into  which  her 
"  precious  husband  "  has  entered  and  which  is  reserved  for  her,  in 
partnership  with  him,  throughout  a  blissful  eternity !  While  Ave 
weep  with  her  as  she  weeps,  let  us  not  sorrow  as  those  that  have 
no  hope,  but  let  us  rejoice  together  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full 
of  glory! 

E.  I.  D.  Pepper. 


NOTE  OF  SYMPATHY  FOR  BROTHER  INSKIR 

e^^9  Dear  Sister  Inskip: 

OUR  telegram  was  received  this  morning  by  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  National  Publishing  Association  at  Phil- 
adelphia. 

We  regretted  to  hear  that  Brother  Inskip  had  a  restless 
night ;  but  were  glad  that  the  morning  came  with  some  relief.  I 


10 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


am  requested  by  the  Board,  to  say:  We  deeply  sympathize  with 
Brother  Inskip  and  yourself,  in  his  and  your  great  affliction  ;  and 
that  we  cherish  the  kindest  regards  for  you  both,  and  do  not  cease 
to  pray,  that  if  it  be  the  will  of  our  Heavenly  Father  he  may  be 
raised  up  from  the  doors  of  death,  and  restored  to  his  family  and 
friends.  But  if  otherwise,  the  recall  of  his  commission  to  labor 
longer,  as  heretofore  in  the  glorious  cause  of  holiness,  may  be  over- 
ruled, so  that  his  death  may  accomplish  more  than  even  his  useful 
life  could  have  done. 

His  cheerful,  happy  state  of  mind  is  a  comfort  to  us  all.  And 
we  also  commend  you  to  the  sympathy  and  support  of  the  blessed 
Saviour,  and  rejoice  in  the  grace  that  enables  you  to  say,  the  will  of 
the  Lord  be  done.  The  Lord  makes  no  mistakes.  He  doeth  all 
things  Avell. 

Affectionately  yours, 

J.  E.  Searles,  Committee. 

Philadelphia,  March  4,  1884. 


BROTHER  SEARLES'  VISIT. 


New  Yoek,  March  8,  1884. 

VISITED  brother  Inskip  in  company  with  brother  G.  C.  Reis 
at  Ocean  Grove,  and  found  him  in  a  dying  state.  When  I 
was  announced,  he  roused  up  a  little,  and  looked  towards  me ; 
and  his  ever-faithful  wife  said  to  him,  "  My  dear,  brother 
Searles  has  come ;  do  you  know  him  ?  If  you  know  him  press  his 
hand  "  (which  I  was  holding)  ;  and  then  I  felt  a  gentle  pressure, 
and  there  was  a  slight  movement  of  the  lips.    But  it  was  only  for  a 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


11 


moment ;  consciousness  reeled  and  vanished,  to  return  no  more  in 
this  life.  It  seemed  difficult  to  realize  we  were  looking  upon  the 
leader  of  the  great  holiness  reformation  in  the  present  history  of  the 
Church ;  who  so  recently  appeared  so  strong  and  full  of  almost 
youthful  vigor ;  whose  constitution  and  make-up  seemed  to  defy  the 
effects,  either  of  toil  or  increasing  years.  He  was  indeed  "  immortal 
until  his  work  was  done."  He  often  said  to  the  writer,  who  prob- 
ably knew  his  heart  and  private  feelings  as  fully  as  any  other  of  his 
friends :  "  I  want  to  die  in  the  work."  He  seemed  to  feel  he  should 
be  better  prepared  to  go  from  the  field  of  ministerial  activity  to  his 
reward  than  to  go  from  the  retired  list  of  God's  workmen.  His 
record  is  one  of  incessant  activity  and  glorious  success. 

The  friends  of  Ocean  Grove  have  manifested  the  most  affectionate 
and  tender  interest  and  care  for  brother  Inskip  and  his  devoted 
wife  in  their  affliction.  The  Lord  reward  them.  After  singing, 
"  My  latest  sun  is  sinking  fast,"  etc.,  we  joined  in  prayer,  and  felt 
that  heaven  was  bending  low  and  the  angels,  and  especially  the 
presence  of  Jesus,  were  there. 

We  turned  away  from  the  dying  hero  of  a  thousand  glorious 
victories  for  Christ,  with  inexpressible  sadness,  and  yet  with  a  secret 
joy  that  we  should  soon  join  him,  with  a  host  of  the  brothers  of  the 
Association  and  friends  of  holiness  in  the  blessed  life  above,  "un- 
measured by  the  flight  of  years,"  where  all  is  heaven  forever ! 

At  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  after  returning  home,  I  received  a 
telegram,  that  all  was  over,  that  he  had  entered  into  his  rest. 

Fraternally, 

J.  E.  Searles. 


12  IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


TRIUMPH!  TRIUMPH! 


Lines  written  on  the  last  words  of  Rev.  J.  S.  Insliip. 


^|pW.     I  trace  with  failing  sight ; 
'i3^k:r'  Its  heavenly-  landscape  fast  appears, 


^      My  ransomed  spirit  plumed  for  flight, 
The  glorious  conflict  o'er. 
Oh  Death  where  is  thy  victory  ? 
I  triumph  as  I  soar. 

Sweet  sounds  from  Beulah  greet  my  ear  ; 

I  revel  in  the  theme  ; 
Their  "  Songs  of  Triumph  "  I  shall  join, 
'  To  Him  who  did  redeem. 

Farewell,  dear  friends,  mourn  not  my  loss, 

Salvation  still  proclaim  ; 
That  all  the  sons  of  Adam's  race 

May  triumph  thro'  the  Lamb. 


I  triumph  with  a  conquering  faith, 
Since  Jesus  has  crossed  o'er, 

I  triumph  in  my  upward  flight  ; 
I'll  triumph  evermore. 


HE  gleaming  spires  of  Beulah  land, 


As  darkness  ends  in  light. 


CHOEUS. 


De.  H.  L.  Gilmotje. 


IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP.  13 


A  BRIEF  SYNOPSIS  OF  MY  LIFE. 


BY  REV.  J.  S.  INSKIP. 

OT  knowing  "  what  a  day  may  bring  forth,"  and  presuming 
that  my  friends  who  may  survive  me  will  be  gratified 
therewith,  I  make  the  following  synopsis  of  my  life.  I  was 
^'1^  born  in  Huntingdon,  England,  August  10th,  1816.  I  came 
to  this  country  in  the  year  1820,  and  remained  with  my  parents 
in  Wilmington,  Del.,  until  1832,  when  we  removed  to  Chester 
county,  Pa.  I  was  converted  to  God  under  the  ministry  of  Rev. 
Levi  Scott  (afterwards  Bishop),  at  Marshal Iton,  Pa.,  April  10, 1832. 
I  soon  after  this,  removed  to  another  part  of  the  county  of  Chester 
called  Goshen.  I  united  with  the  Grove  M.  E.  Church  by  letter. 
I  was  licensed  as  a  local  preacher  May  23,  1835,  and  travelled  that 
year  under  the  Presiding  Elder  with  Brothers  Wm.  Torbert  and 
Allen  John  as  colleagues,  on  the  Springfield  Circuit,  Philadelphia 
Conference.  This  circuit  then  included  the  city  of  Reading,  Pa. 
In  the  spring  of  1836  I  was  admitted  on  trial  in  the  Philadelphia 
Conference,  and  was  appointed  to  the  Cecil  Circuit  wdth  Edward 
Kennard  as  senior  preacher.  In  November  of  this  year  I  married 
my  wife.  Miss  Martha  J.  Foster,  to  whom,  under  God,  more  than  to 
any  one  else,  I  owe  my  ministerial  success,  as  well  as  my  domestic 
bliss.  In  1837  I  w^as  appointed  to  Nottingham  Circuit,  Samuel 
Grace  being  preacher  in  charge.  We  had  a  great  season  of  success. 
In  1838  I  was  ordained  deacon  in  Wilmington,  Del.,  by  Bishop 
Waugh,  and  returned  to  Nottingham  with  Brother  Grace.  We 
were  favored  with  very  large  accessions  to  the  Church.  Brother 
Grace  was  a  most  excellent  and  amiable  brother,  and,  although 


14 


IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


much  my  senior,  he  was  unusually  familiar  and  pleasant  in  his 
bearing  toward  me  on  all  occasions.  We  had  remarkable  pros- 
perity. During  our  two  years  on  Nottingham  Circuit  over  five 
hundred  found  the  Lord.  In  1839  I  was  appointed  to  Easton, 
Pa.  Being  my  first  experience  as  preacher  in  charge,  I  felt  some 
embarrassment,  but  the  Lord  helped  me,  and  the  brethren  were 
very  kind.  In  1840  I  was  ordained  Elder  at  Philadelphia  by 
Bishop  Waugh,  and  returned  to  Easton.  I  had  considerable  suc- 
cess in  Easton.  Over  one  hundred  were  saved.  In  1841  I  was 
appointed  to  Western  Church,  Philadelphia,  labored  hard  and  had 
some  success.  In  1842  I  was  appointed  to  Kensington,  and  remained 
during  1843.  I  had  extraordinary  prosperity  during  my  labors 
there ;  full  three  hundred  were  converted.  In  1844  I  was  appointed 
to  Salem,  in  the  western  part  of  Philadelphia,  and  was  favored  with 
some  success.  In  1845  I  was  stationed  at  Germantown.  We  had 
much  prosperity  there  ;  about  one  hundred  were  brought  in.  During 
the  year  I  was  transferred  to  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  stationed  at 
Ninth  Street,  Cincinnati,  by  special  request  of  the  Society.  I  com- 
menced laboring  at  Cincinnati  January,  1846 — attended  Ohio  Con- 
ference in  Piqua.  September,  1846,  I  returned  to  Ninth  Street, 
and  had  much  prosperity,  especially  in  the  Sunday-school.  In  1847 
I  was  appointed  to  Dayton,  and  was  returned  during  1848.  We 
had  glorious  triumphs  ;  over  two  hundred  and  fifty  were  converted. 
A  new  Church  Avas  built  and  the  Society  greatly  strengthened.  In 
1849  I  was  appointed  to  Urbana.  Had  a  wonderful  revival ;  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  converted.  In  1850  I  was  appointed  to 
Springfield,  finished  the  new  Church  and  added  largely  to  its 
numerical  strength  ;  one  hundred  were  converted.  In  1851  I  was 
appointed  to  Troy.  Here  we  were  favored  with  extraordinary  suc- 
cess ;  full  two  hundred  were  converted.    In  1852  I  was  transferred 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


15 


to  New  York  East  Conference,  and  appointed  by  earnest  request  of 
the  people  to  Madison  Street,  New  York.  In  1853  I  returned  to 
Madison  Street;  nearly  four  hundred  were  converted.  In  1854  I 
was  stationed  at  Fleet  Street.  Here,  too,  had  some  fruit ;  about 
forty  were  converted.  In  1855,  by  request  of  the  people,  I  was 
stationed  at  Centenary,  Brooklyn.  In  1856  I  returned.  We  had 
much  of  God's  blessing  ;  about  three  hundred  were  converted.  In 
1857  I  was  appointed  by  earnest  request  of  the  people  to  De  Kalb 
Avenue,  Brooklyn  ;  had  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  conversions. 
In  1858  I  went  to  Cherry  Street,  New  York,  at  the  invitation  of  the 
Church,  and  returned  to  the  same  Church  during  1859.  I  was 
much  comforted  in  my  labor  there ;  full  two  hundred  and  fifty  were 
brought  to  Christ.  In  1860  I  was  appointed  at  the  request  of  the 
people  to  Ninth  Street.  In  1861  I  returned  to  Ninth  Street ;  over 
one  hundred  converts.  In  May  of  this  year  I  went  out  as  Chaplain. 
At  the  Conference  of  1862  I  was  announced  as  Chaplain.  During 
the  year  my  health  failed,  and,  upon  my  resignation,  I  was  "  honor- 
ably discharged  "  from  the  service.  In  1863,  by  special  request,  I 
was  appointed  to  Birmingham,  Conn.,  and  had  a  pleasant  year.  In 
1864,  by  special  request,  I  was  appointed  to  South  Third  Street, 
Brooklyn.  Great  revival ;  nearly  four  hundred  converted.  Mrs. 
Inskip  and  I  both  attained  (no,  we  received)  the  blessing  of  entire 
sanctification.  A  wonderful  and  glorious  year!  It  will  never  be 
forgotten  by  many.  I  shall  remember  it'as  long  as  I  live.  In  1865 
I  returned  to  South  Third  Street.  God  grant  it  may  be  a  great 
year.  My  whole  soul  is  in  the  work.  Oh,  how  I  love  the  work  !  It 
is  pleasant  to  labor  for  the  Master.  "  His  commandments  are  not 
grievous."  If  my  life  were  to  be  repeated,  I  would  choose  to  be  an 
Itinerant  Methodist  Preacher.  I  am  more  than  "  satisfied  with  my 
lot."    Praise  the  Lord  !  "  I  am,  O  Lord,  wholly  and  forever  thine." 

South  Third  Street  M.  E.  Church,  1865. 


16 


IN  MEMOKIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


[What  follows  seems  to  have  been  written  subsequently.  Editor.] 

In  1866  I  was  transferred  to  New  York  Conference  ;  appointed 
to  Greene  Street  Church  by  special  request  of  the  people ;  returned 
in  1867  and  1868.  God  gave  us  great  success  ;  over  300  were  con- 
verted. In  1869  I  was  transferred  to  Baltimore  Conference,  and 
stationed  at  Eutaw  Street  Church  by  application  of  the  people.  In 
two  years  over  500  were  converted.  These  were  two  years  of  great 
triumph.  I  think  I  never  had  as  great  success.  In  1871  I  took  a 
supernumerary  relation,  without  appointment ;  visited  California 
and  commenced  my  evangelistic  work.  In  1872  I  became  effective, 
and  was  transferred  from  the  Baltimore  to  the  New  York  East  Con- 
ference. I  received  a  nominal  appointment  at  Seventh  Street 
Church,  New  York,  and  pursued  my  evangelistic  work.  In  1873  I 
took  a  supernumerary  relation,  without  appointment,  and  continued 
the  evangelistic  work. 


REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP  IN  THE  FAMILY  CIRCLE. 

BY  EEV.  JOHN  THOMPSON. 


iO  know  men  we  should  see  them  from  different  standpoints, 
I    and  under  the  various  situations  and  circumstances  through 


which  they  pass  in  their  pilgrimage  through  this  world.  To 
know  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  it  is  not  enough  that  we  see 


and  hear  them  in  the  pulpit.  We  need  to  know  what  they 
are  in  their  business  transactions  and  what  they  are  in  the  family 
circle.  Thousands  have  known  Bro.  Inskip  to  the  joy  of  their  hearts 
in  the  pulpit  and  the  prayer  service.    Very  many  have  known  him 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


17 


well  and  favorably  in  business  life,  for  be  it  known  that  be  had  a 
good  business  record.  But  comparatively  few  have  known  him  for 
any  length  of  time  in  the  home  circle.  It  has  been  said  that  the 
best  way  to  know  people  is  to  live  with  them,  and  some,  in  their  ex- 
travagance, have  gone  so  far  as  to  teach  that  it  is  impossible  to  know 
people  unless  we  do  live  with  them.  For  many  years  my  house  has 
been  the  home  of  Brother  and  Sister  Inskip,  in  their  visits  to  Phila- 
delphia, at  such  times  as  when  they  had  no  home  of  their  own  here. 
Bro.  Inskip,  under  the  influence  of  mighty  baptisms  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
made  himself  felt  and  known  in  the  pulpit,  and  I  am  glad  to  say 
that  his  home  life  was  no  contradiction  of  the  impressions  made  by 
these  volcanic  camp-meeting  utterances.  His  habit  of  life  in  the 
family  was  of  a  joyous  sort ;  the  children  were  glad  to  hear  of  his 
coming ;  so  much  so,  that  they  would  gladly  hasten  through  their 
school  lessons,  that  they  might  have  time  to  enjoy  his  evening  inter- 
esting and  instructive  family  chats,  and  everybody  about  the  house 
expected  a  hallelujah  sort  of  a  time,  when  Brother  and  Sister  Inskip 
came.  And  to  add  to  the  interest  of  these  evening  entertainments, 
we  shall  never  forget  the  experience  of  happy  hours,  as  Brother  and 
Sister  Inskip  united  in  singing  for  us  the  songs  of  Zion.  From  the 
old  "  Sweet  Singer  of  Israel,"  to  the  newest  pieces  in  the  "  Songs  of 
Triumph,"  they  seemed  ready  and  willing  to  sing  anything  that  was 
called  for.  It  is  a  good  thing  to  have  a  great  deal  of  music  in  the 
family  circle.  Bro.  Inskip  was  nowhere  more  at  home  than  at  the 
family  altar.  He  had  a  rare  faculty  of  remembering  in  his  prayers, 
parents  and  children,  strangers  and  household  help,  in  such  an  easy, 
familiar  way,  as  to  make  all  feel  that  they  had  a  place  in  his  heart. 
Unless  wearied  and  fatigued  with  over-work,  Bro.  Inskip  was  an 
early  riser.  He  was  frequently  at  the  table  at  four  or  five  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  writing  for  the  Standard,  on  some  subject  that  had 
2 


18 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  IXSKIP. 


come  to  his  mind  during  a  wakeful  hour  in  the  night,  or  he  was  up 
early,  to  answer  letters  from  friends,  with  whom  he  would  have  no 
time  for  correspondence  during  the  day.  Bro.  Inskip  enjoyed  his 
meals  as  well  as  most  people,  but  in  this  matter  he  was  not  hard  to 
entertain.  He  seemed  best  pleased  when  but  little  trouble  or  ex- 
pense was  endured  to  make  him  comfortable.  More  than  once  I 
have  been  with  him  at  camp  meeting  when  there  seemed,  not  with- 
out cause,  to  be  a  general  complaint  about  the  provisions,  but  his 
custom  was  to  say  but  little,  and  make  the  best  of  things,  and  I 
have  heard  him  express  earnest  dissatisfaction  with  those  who  seemed 
hard  to  please  with  their  meals. 

His  last  night  with  us  was  on  his  way  to  his  last  Sunday's  ap- 
pointment, at  Waynesburg,  Pa.  He  seemed  unusually  well,  and  in 
jubilant  spirits.  The  most  prominent  matter  on  his  mind,  that  night, 
on  which  he  wished  to  converse  with  me,  was  in  reference  to  writing 
his  autobiography,  and  after  a  full  exchange  of  thought  on  this  sub- 
ject, he  determined  to  commence  this  work,  in  good  earnest,  at  an 
early  date.  He  left  us  on  Saturday  morning,  for  Waynesburg,  ap- 
parently in  the  vigor  of  his  best  days.  Xo  one  of  us  even  thought 
of  the  probability  that  this  might  be  his  last  visit.  I  trust  that  he 
realizes,  in  his  heavenly  home,  that  his  visits  to  our  family  were 
benedictions  to  us  all.  We  will  continue  to  remember  the  happy 
hours  thus  spent  together,  and  when  we  meet  beyond  the  river,  hope 
to  renew  our  converse,  and  together  "  be  forever  with  the  Lord." 


IN  MEMORIAM— KEY.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


19 


REV.  J.  S.  INSKIFS  LAST  SABBATH'S  WORK. 


BY  REV.  J.  8.  LAME. 


HE  Apostle  John  plaintively  said,  "  Little  children,  it  is 
the  last  time."     A  melancholy  interest  attaches  to  the 
last  things — an  interest  that  almost  sanctifies — makes  them 
TV      sacred  to  memory.    The  patriarchs,  venerable  with  age, 
m      and  laden  with  good  works,  seemed  gifted  with  inspira- 
l       tion  and  prophecy ;  and  glorified  their  last  hours  with  a 
splendor  tlmt  burst  from  the  world  of  light  into  which  they  were 
fast  entering.     How  tenderly  touching  the  final   interview  of 
Jacob  with  his  sons.    And  David's  farewell  charge  to  Solomon, 
"  And  thou,  Solomon,  my  son ;  know  thou  the  God  of  thy  father, 
and  serve  Him  with  a  perfect  heart."     And  Paul's  valedictory. 
How  we  love  to  linger  on  the  last  words  of  Wesley,  and  "  I  am 
sweeping  through  the  gates,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb," 
by  the  glorified  Cookman. 

By  a  remarkable  providence.  Rev.  J.  S.  Inskip  commenced 
and  concluded  his  life's  labors  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania. 
Converted  at  Marshallton,  Chester  County,  in  1832.  In  1835  he 
was  sent  by  the  presiding  elder  to  Waynesburg  Circuit;  many 
appointments  radiating  from  Waynesburg,  forming  the  circuit. 
By  many  of  the  more  aged  members  he  is  remembered  as  rather 
a  small  youth,  of  dauntless  courage,  indomitable  will,  glowing 
ardor,  and  vehement  voice. 

Near  Morgantown  in  Berks  County,  a  landlord  offered  his 
house  for  public  worship,  and  the  offer  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Inskip. 
Preaching  began,  and  a  revival  followed.    While  a  number  were 


20 


IN  MEMORIAM-REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


at  the  rude  mourners'  bench  seeking  religion,  a  mother,  enraged 
by  being  informed  that  her  daughter  was  kneeling  as  a  seeker, 
rushed  into  the  house,  and,  forcing  her  way  to  the  front,  was 
about  to  drag  her  daughter  from  the  room,  when  the  young 
commander  shouted,  "  Shut  the  door !  Every  man  to  his  knees," 
and  so  tremendous  was  the  power  that  came  upon  the  mother, 
that  she  not  only  relinquished  her  grasp  upon  her  daughter,  but 
called  aloud  for  mercy.  Interesting  were  the  incidents  related 
by  those  early  co-laborers  of  our  ascended  brother. 

Waynesburg  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  is  a  village 
nicely  built,  well  laid  out,  with  broad  and  elegantly  shaded 
streets,  having  a  highly  intelligent  population.  The  First  M.  E. 
church  was  built  in  1816.  The  Second,  a  large  and  commodious 
building,  was  erected  in  1840  by  Kev.  J.  B.  Ayres.  Waynesburg 
church  has  enjoyed  the  pastoral  services  of  Rev.  E.  I.  D.  Pepper, 
the  present  editor  of  the  Christian  Standard  and  Home 
Journal. 

During  the  first  year  of  my  pastorate  at  Waynesburg  affec- 
tionate inquiries  were  made  concerning  Bro.  Inskip,  and  a  desire 
expressed  to  hear  him  preach.  I  sought  an  interview  with  him, 
when  he  promised  to  come,  but  failing  health  prevented  the 
fiilfilment  of  the  promise;  but  renewing  my  efforts  the  following 
year,  I  gained  his  promise  to  spend  Sabbath,  October  21,  1883, 
with  us.  Accompanied  by  Mr.  Joseph  C.  Davis  and  wife,  my 
son  and  daughter,  and  Mrs.  Rev.  John  Thompson,  Mr.  Inskip 
and  his  devoted  wife  duly  arrived  on  Saturday  evening.  We 
formed  a  most  interesting  group  as  we  listened  to  the  pure  and 
sprightly  conversation  of  that  devoted  man  and  elect  lady.  He 
was  as  elastic  and  playful  in  spirit  as  a  boy.  My  son,  having 
attained  his  twenty-first  year,  received  a  birth-day  present.  Bro- 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


21 


ther  Inskip  made  the  presentation  speech,  a  speech  flashing  with 
humor  and  flowing  with  pathos. 

He  \va3  ahvays  gifted  in  prayer,  but  on  Saturday  night  round  the 
family  altar,  the  fire  and  fervor  of  the  Lord  God  of  Elijah  fell 
upon  him.  Every  one  bending  about  that  altar  was  mentioned 
with  a  particularity  and  tenderness  most  touching ;  and  when  he 
came  to  petition  for  God's  benediction  on  the  coming  Sabbath, 
certainly  the  glory  of  his  coming  translation  must  have  mantled 
him ;  my  soul  was  melted  with  the  pathos,  and  my  mind  almost 
bewildered  with  the  grandeur  of  his  language  and  thoughts. 

Sabbath,  the  21st,  all  the  Presbyterian  churches  in  the  city 
were  closed,  the  pastors  attending  the  Synod.  The  Honeybrook 
Graphic,  published  in  Waynesburg,  contained  the  following  notice : 
"  Rev.  John  S.  Inskip  and  wife,  who  recently  made  an  evangelistic 
tour  around  the  world,  will  hold  an  all-day  meeting  in  the  M.  E. 
Church  of  this  place  on  next  Sabbath,  the  21st  inst.  Mr.  Inskip 
will  preach  at  10.30  A.M.,  and  7  P.M.;  Mrs.  Inskip  will  hold 
a  young  people's  meeting  at  3  o'clock." 

The  morning  broke  dark  and  lowering,  but  no  rain  fell  during 
the  entire  day.  A  consecration  meeting  at  9  A.  M.  assisted  in 
preparing  the  people  for  the  grand  results  of  the  day.  The 
church  was  crowded  from  gallery  to  pulpit,  altar,  aisles,  and 
vestibule.  Promptly  at  10.30  Mr.  Inskip  arose  and  read  the 
775th  hymn,  "  Awake,  Jerusalem,  aw  ake."  Reading  the  first 
Psalm,  announcing  the  53rd  hymn,  and  taking  for  his  text  the 
fifth  verse  of  the  93rd  Psalm,  "  Holiness  becometh  thy  house, 
O  Lord,  forever." 

He  prefaced  his  sermon  by  saying  that  about  forty-eight  years 
ago  this  was  his  field  of  labor.  Many  a  landmark  and  name 
were  dear  to  his  memory.    Since  then  he  had  been  in  almost 


22 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


every  State  in  the  nation ;  around  the  globe,  and  in  nearly  every 
country  in  the  world ;  but  he  had  found  no  spot  so  dear  to  him 
as  Chester  County.  Holiness,  his  favorite  theme,  was  the  subject 
of  his  sermon.  He  quoted  from  the  Creeds  of  the  Baptist,  Pres- 
byterian, Roman  Catholic,  and  Episcopal  Churches,  and  showed 
that  holiness  was  the  common  creed  of  Christendom.  This  plan 
of  presentation  was  most  happily  adapted  to  his  promiscuous  audi- 
ence. As  he  advanced  he  discussed  the  point  where  the  M.  E. 
Church  diverged  and  differed  from  her  sister  churches.  The 
M.  E.  Church  has  pushed  her  doctrine  into  experience.  As  he 
swept  on  in  his  sermon  smiles  rippled  over  the  congregation  much 
more  frequently,  tears  filled  many  eyes,  hearty  responses  attested 
that  the  mighty  archer  was  not  drawing  his  bow  at  a  venture. 
The  great  preacher  was  at  his  best,  he  held  the  people  in  his 
grasp,  and  at  the  close  of  the  sermon  not  less  than  a  hundred  rose 
as  seekers  of  holiness. 

At  2.30  the  church  was  again  crowded  to  its  uttermost.  Mrs. 
Inskip  took  charge,  and  made  a  most  pointed  appeal  to  the  young. 
It  was  a  memorable  service. 

At  7  the  house  was  packed.  Mr.  Inskip,  on  his  throne  of  power, 
giving  out  the  518th  hymn.  The  last  hymn  that  he  ever  read 
in  the  pulpit  was  the  503rd,  the  last  line  being,  "  And  I  am 
white  as  snow,"  a  life  experience  crystallized  in  a  single  sentence. 
He  announced  his  last  text,  Phil.  i.  9,  "  And  this  I  pray  that  your 
love  may  abound  yet  more  and  more  in  knowledge  and  in  all 
judgment."  He  preached  an  hour  and  a  half  It  was  a  Man- 
heim  Camp-Meeting  in  a  church.  Including  his  explanations  and 
exhortations  he  spoke  two  solid  hours.  Half  way  down  the  church, 
men  and  women  were  kneeling,  seeking  pardon,  or  purity,  or  some 
special  blessing  of  God.    In  the  glad  exultation  of  the  hour, 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


23 


lifting  aloud  his  strong  voice,  that  appeared  entirely  unimpaired 
by  the  strain  put  upon  him,  he  exclaimed,  "  I  feel  able  for  twenty 
years'  work  yet."  At  a  late  hour  the  vast  congregation  slowly 
unpacked  and  retired  to  their  homes.  Notwithstanding  his  extra- 
ordinary labors  of  the  day  he  was  bright  and  buoyant  on  his  arrival 
at  the  parsonage,  ate  heartily,  engaged  in  sprightly  conversation, 
joined  in  prayer,  retired  in  good  cheer,  slept  soundly,  awoke  early, 
took  breakfast  before  daylight,  leaving  for  Philadelphia  in  the  first 
train.  Had  our  sainted  brother  known  that  he  was  preaching  his 
last  sermon  he  could  not  have  preached  better ;  it  was  a  worthy 
peroration  to  a  long  and  useful  life.  It  was  one  of  the  greatest 
days  in  the  whole  history  of  the  Waynesburg  Church.  The  blessod 
elfects  remain ;  other  churches  participating  in  the  blessing,  and 
acknowledging  their  obligations. 

A  keen  sensation  thrilled  our  community  on  hearing  of  Brother 
Inskip's  sudden  attack  of  illness.  A  public  meeting  expressed  their 
high  appreciation  of  his  services  and  profound  sympathy.  His  last 
Sabbath's  work  was  a  great  work,  a  day  and  a  work  that  produced 
a  profound  impression  on  the  community;  awakened  slumberers, 
aroused  stolidity,  thawed  the  frozen.  Convictions,  Conversions,  and 
Sanctifications  being  the  order  till  ten  o'clock  at  night.  It  was  a 
day  that  will  long  live  in  the  memory  of  our  church.  A  man  of 
full  physical  development,  a  born  leader,  a  majestic  and  impressive 
preacher,  a  flame  of  fire,  an  eminent  and  blessed  illustration  of 
entire  sanctifi cation.  May  thy  mantle  fall  on  many,  and  thy 
memory  yet  more  thoroughly  arouse  a  slumbering  Church  ! 


24 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


LAST  DAYS  OF  REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


BY  REV.  A.  E.  BALLARD. 


PKINCE  and  mighty  man  in  our  Methodist  Israel  has 
fallen."  The  record  of  a  great  and  good  man's  life  is 
the  illustration  of  God's  meaning  in  sending  him  into  the 
world  ;  the  record  of  his  closing  days,  after  the  deeds 
which  made  his  life  a  glory  have  become  impossible,  is 
the  illustration  of  that  meaning  in  taking  him  out  of  the  world. 
And  the  student  of  the  world's  religious  history  will  find  but  little 
difficulty  in  connecting  both  the  life  and  death  with  a  blessing  to 
the  world.  The  record  of  his  life  will  be  written  by  abler  pens  and 
eulogized  by  nobler  speech  than  belong  to  the  writer,  but  of  his 
later  days  when  it  was  his  privilege  to  visit  him  almost  daily,  he 
feels  privileged  to  write,  and  allow  the  tenderness  to  plead  for 
recognition  notwithstanding  all  deficiencies  of  style.  When  John 
S.  Inskip  and  wife  returned  from  their  trip  around  the  world, 
among  other  ovations  in  his  honor,  there  was  one  tendered  and 
accepted  at  Ocean  Grove,  N.  J.  This  was  held  in  the  house  which 
he  had  built  in  that  place  in  the  early  part  of  its  existence,  but 
which,  in  the  changing  circumstances  of  his  life,  had  passed  into  the 
ownership  of  Sister  Thorne,  who  had  long  been  a  personal  friend  ! 

During  the  evening  of  the  reception  he  said  to  the  friends  assem- 
bled there,  that  he  found  no  place  for  him  like  Ocean  Grove,  and  he 
hoped  to  be  permitted  to  die  there  and  be  buried  from  its  sacred 
precincts.  The  necessities  of  his  editorship  required  that  he  should 
reside  nearer  to  Philadelphia,  and  he  removed  to  a  farm  near  West- 
town,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  until  the  stroke  came  from  which  he 


IN  MEMORIAM— KEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


25 


never  completely  rallied.  As  soon  as  he  recovered  his  conscious 
intelligence,  although  deprived  of  the  power  of  speech  he  made  his 
wife  understand  his  desire  to  be  moved  to  Ocean  Grove,  and  as  soon 
as  his  strength  permitted,  his  wishes  received  their  compliance. 
Singularly  enough,  the  lady  who  had  become  the  owner  of  his  pro- 
perty was  so  circumstanced  as  to  be  able  to  receive  his  wife  and 
himself  So  in  the  house  he  had  builded  and  in  which  he  had  lived 
he  accomplished  the  last  temporal  desire  of  his  life — passing  his  clos- 
ing days  within  its  walls,  and  leaving  earth  in  the  very  room  he  had 
occupied  when  he  dwelt  in  the  house  as  its  owner.  After  he  first 
came  to  the  Grove  there  was  a  manifest  improvement.  The  para- 
lyzed organs  of  speech  did  not  regain  their  power  but  all  the  other 
bodily  faculties  did,  and  his  mind,  while  not  what  it  had  been  before, 
yet  was  clearly  and  consciously  intelligent.  With  a  little  boy — 
little  Lawrence — an  adopted  child  of  Mrs.  Thorne,  he  walked  over 
the  ground  with  apparently  the  same  hale,  fresh  vigor  as  in  the 
days  of  his  olden  time.  Many  of  his  friends  hoped,  the  writer 
among  them,  that  he  would  yet  be  allowed  to  lead  the  hosts  of  the 
Lord  to  battle  again,  and  even  physicians  began  to  be  sanguine  that 
the  exceptional  strength  of  an  iron  constitution  might  overcome  the 
terrible  stroke  which  had  befallen  him.  But  these  hopes  were  all 
fallacious,  and  relapse  after  relapse  came  upon  the  times  of  improve- 
ment, each  one  leaving  him  feebler  than  before  and  deepening  and 
intensifying  his  pain  until  the  end  came,  and  the  recovery  which 
could  not  be  accomplished  on  the  earth  was  completed  in  putting  on 
his  house  from  Heaven.  There  was  possibly  to  him  a  struggle  in 
giving  up  the  use  of  his  voice.  To  talk  of  God,  of  his  Lord  Christ, 
of  the  power  of  the  Spirit  to  cleanse  ;  to  express  his  experience  of 
the  fullness  of  God,  and  tell  it  all  publicly  and  privately  to  men 
had  been  among  his  supreme  delights.    Scarcely  a  heavier  cross 


26 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


could  have  been  laid  upon  him  than  the  deprivation  of  speech.  The 
nearest  approach  to  a  murmur  he  ever  made  was  Avhen  he  said,  in 
his  half  articulate  way,  "  I  wish  I  could  talk  and  tell  you  what  is  in 
my  heart,"  in  reference  to  his  experience  of  salvation.  There  were 
some  words  he  was  able  to  enunciate.  He  could  always  say  "  Amen  ;  " 
could  join  in  hymns  he  had  known,  and  sing  the  words,  but  while 
his  mind  formed  ideas  Avithout  difficulty,  when  once  it  attempted  to 
apply  them  to  the  vocal  organs,  these  organs  refused  their  office  and 
he  was  unable  to  give  them  their  expression  ;  yet,  in  the  subtile 
telegraphy  of  love,  his  wife  was  able  to  understand  and  interpret 
him  to  his  friends  in  ways  which  he  accepted  as  exactly  correspondent 
with  his  meaning.  In  all  the  earlier  days  of  his  illness,  when  the 
pain  was  not  so  severe  as  it  afterward  became,  he  was  exercised 
deeply  about  being  laid  aside  from  the  work,  to  which  he  had  con- 
secrated his  life,  yet  there  w^as  no  murmuring.  There  was  not 
exactly  submission,  for  he  had  passed  beyond  submission  into  acqui- 
escence. His  wife  said  to  him,  "  Do  you  not  think,  if  you  had  not 
worked  so  hard,  and  spared  yourself  a  little  more,  that  it  would 
have  been  better  and  probably  you  would  have  lived  longer?"  The 
answer  was  prompt  and  characteristic.  "  I  am  glad  I  have  worked 
hard  all  my  life."  When  asked  if  he  was  as  rapturously  happy  now 
as  in  the  day  when  his  soul  was  filled  with  God's  presence  in  the 
activities  of  a  life  of  conquest?  with  a  countenance  which  shone 
from  the  inward  light  of  God,  he  repeated  over  and  over  "  Yes ! 
yes  !  Happy  anywhere  with  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.  God's  presence 
makes  my  happiness,  and  1  have  that  all  the  time."  It  was  always 
his  desire  that  prayer  should  be  made  every  time  I  visited  him. 
Rev.  Brothers  Beegle  and  Jaquett  frequently  visited  him  also,  and 
met  with  the  same  request.  But  the  prayers  were  peculiar  because 
they  seemed  of  necessity  to  partake  of  the  triumphant  realization  of 


IN  MEMOEIAM— KEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKTP. 


27 


his  soul  rather  than  of  the  usual  sorroAV  with  which  they  are  generally 
penetrated.  His  wife  almost  always  sang  a  hymn  with  which  he 
was  familiar,  in  which  he  joined  as  far  as  his  strength  would  allow. 

Then  came  a  new  phase.  He  had  been  tried  by  the  Lord  in  the 
activities  of  Christian  life  to  the  exhaustion  of  his  splendid  physical 
powers  and  passed  the  ordeal  well.  He  had  been  tried  long  before 
in  sorrow  in  the  death  of  his  only  son ;  but  his  soul  had  not  failed 
to  give  glory  to  God  in  the  furnace  of  his  affliction.  He  had  been 
tried  in  the  forcing  of  repression  in  the  loss  of  his  voice  and  leader- 
ship, and  his  glorious  soul  had  risen  above  them  all.  In  all  these 
ways  he  had  experienced  his  sanctifi cation.  And  now,  the  highest 
sanctification  of  all  was  to  be  given  him — the  "  sanctification 
through  suffering  " — in  order  that  he  might  be  perfect  and  entire, 
wanting  nothing ;  and  be  thoroughly  fitted  for  the  other  world  what 
he  had  been  here, — "  a  king  and  a  priest  unto  God  and  the  Lamb." 
For  the  last  few  wrecks  of  his  life,  he  blended  agony  and  triumph  as 
in  the  course  of  a  ministry  I  have  never  seen  them  blended.  The 
pains  which  came  upon  him  were  almost  beyond  endurance.  I 
have  seen  him  lie  there,  propped  by  his  pillows  and  supported  by 
the  arms  of  the  wife,  who  never  for  a  day,  never  for  a  night,  in  all 
the  weary  months  of  his  illness,  quitted  his  side,  his  whole  frame 
quivering  with  anguish,  and  his  voice  moaning  with  the  pain  that 
distorted  his  features,  and  still  insisting  that  prayer  should  be  made, 
during  which  smiles,  which  seemed  reflecting  from  the  glory  beyond, 
would  irradiate  his  face,  and  the  anguish  and  the  pain  be  all  ob- 
literated !  I  have  also  seen  him  in  the  apparent  unconsciousness  of 
stupor  when  the  words  of  the  prayer  would  touch  the  name  of 
Jesus,  arouse  each  time  and  with  the  same  rapture,  which  had  shone 
upon  his  countenance  when  a  baptism  of  power  had  come  upon  him 
in  a  meeting.    I  have  seen  him  when  his  agony  had  forced  the 


28 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


cold  sweat  out  all  over  his  body,  and  his  soul  like  those  of  the 
martyrs  at  the  stake,  lifted  itself  above  the  pain  and  spoke  the 
praises  of  the  Lord,  and  I  have  never  seen  any  other  soul  whose 
triumphs  equaled  his  in  the  same  class  of  circumstances.  He  never 
troubled  himself  as  to  whether  he  should  die  or  recover ;  indeed  he 
never  troubled  himself  about  anything,  but  put  everything  in  the 
hands  of  God  all  the  time  and  left  it  there.  Every  day  almost,  him- 
self, his  wife,  and  the  writer  would  put  their  souls  together  before 
the  Lord  in  his  behalf,  and  every  time  would  come  the  answer  of 
transcendant  blessing.  Every  time  she  would  sing,  the  song  would 
be  made  the  medium  of  the  power  of  God  unto  a  salvation  then  and 
there  to  him,  and  every  time  Ave  would  leave  with  the  feeling  that 
the  blessing  which  had  descended  upon  him,  had  also  fallen  upon 
us.  In  the  early  morning  of  the  day  before  his  decease  the  most 
wonderful  spiritual  baptism  of  his  life  came  upon  him.  Just  after 
or  in  connection  with  one  of  his  paroxysms  there  had  been  exercises 
in  which  he  had  joined  fervently.  Then  there  was  singing  of  a 
favorite  hymn — "  O  there  is  glory,  glory  in  my  soul.  For  I  touch 
the  hem  of  His  garment  and  His  blood  doth  make  me  whole  " — and 
the  glory  in  his  soul  did  touch  the  hem  of  His  garment  till  the 
virtue  came  out  of  Him  again  and  touched  him  with  the  glory  of 
the  first  resurrection  before  he  had  passed  the  domain  of  the  grave 
and  transfigured  him  before  the  eyes  of  those  who  loved  him.  All 
souls  were  awed  with  delight  when  they  witnessed  and  felt  the 
weight  of  the  glory  which  descended  upon  him — Then  they  sang 
"  Is  not  this  the  Land  of  Beulah  ?  "  in  which  he  also  joined,  inter- 
jecting "  yes  !  yes !  "  as  the  words  flowed  along.  Afterward  amidst 
expressions  of  rapture  they  sang  "  Palms  of  victory,"  and  the  way- 
worn traveller  waved  the  palm  in  his  hands  here  as  he  sang  of  the 
band  of  angels  which  came  from  the  throne  of  God.    Then  in  the 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


29 


intensification  of  the  rapture,  his  wife  sang,  "  The  sweet  bye  and 
bye,"  and  while  the  notes  were  floating  upwards  toward  the  heavens, 
like  his  Master,  who  in  the  extremity  of  His  agony  could  not  forget 
the  woman  dearest  to  him,  he  put  his  arms  around  the  woman,  who 
for  forty-eight  years  had  been  the  wife  of  his  bosom  and  the  beloved 
of  his  soul,  drew  her  down  to  his  breast,  and  held  her  there  with  a 
pressure  which  seemed  to  say,  "  I  could  not  have  done  without  you 
on  the  earth.  I  do  not  know  how  even  to  leave  for  heaven  without 
you."  The  writer  did  not  come  in  the  room  till  a  little  afterward, 
but  the  shining  of  the  glory  was  so  radiant  still,  that  there  was  no 
difficulty  in  fully  understanding  it  all,  especially  as  he  had  wit- 
nessed it  in  detached  forms  over  and  over  during  his  illness.  After 
this  he  lay  mostly  in  stupor,  but  occasionally  gave  a  hand  pressure 
to  Brother  Osborn,  whom  he  loved  scarcely  second  to  any  man  on 
earth,  and  who  had  devoted  himself  in  all  forms  of  helping,  wher- 
ever the  possibilities  allowed,  from  the  beginning  of  his  illness.  On 
Friday  three  hours  before  he  passed  away,  lying  apparently  uncon- 
scious of  everything,  I  offered  the  last  prayer  in  his  presence,  not 
fully  believing  it  was  heard  by  him,  until  I  asked  him,  if  he  under- 
stood, to  press  my  hand,  when  the  pressure  came,  and  then  at  three 
hours  later  in  the  presence  of  the  hearts  who  so  loved  and  clung  to 
him,  and  who  would  have  kept  him  with  them  if  they  could,  as 
peacefully  and  smilingly  as  an  infant  in  its  slumber  ;  so  quietly, 
that  those  who  held  him  by  the  hand  did  not  know  when  he  de- 
parted,— the  warrior  chieftain — the  tender  husband — the  loving 
father — the  true  friend — the  intelligent  teacher — the  spiritual  Chris- 
tian— the  powerful  preacher — the  convincing  writer — the  man  of 
God  thoroughly  furnished  for  every  good  word  and  work  exchanged 
the  kingdom  and  the  priesthood  which  God  gave  him  on  the  earth, 
for  the  kingdom  and  priesthood  for  which  training  and  suffering 
had  fitted  him  in  the  Heavens. 


30  IN  MEMOEIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


HIS  LAST  WORDS. 

N  the  morning  of  Thursday,  March  6th,  between  four  and 
five  o'clock,  he  had  a  wonderful  season  of  rejoicing  and 
victory.  His  last  words  were  ''triumph!  triumph!"  He 
expired  about  four  o'clock  on  Friday  afternoon,  March  7th. 

It  was  a  weary  alternation,  like  the  rising  and  ebbing 
tides  of  the  great  restless  ocean,  near  which  the  strong  man 
lay  down,  as  he  waited  for  the  opening  of  the  everlasting 
gates.  He  complained  not  of  weariness  or  delay.  He  cheered  the 
closing  of  a  grand  life  with  songs  of  joy,  and  when,  according  to 
the  will  of  God,  his  release  came,  it  was  "  Let  me  go,  for  the  day 
breaketh." 

To  us — to  untold  thousands  in  crowded  towns,  and  busy  cities, 
and  wherever  the  tongue  of  the  telegraph,  or  the  newspapers 
reached  last  Saturday  morning,  there  seemed  a  pause  in  the 
pulsations  of  life  as  one  said  to  another, 

"  BROTHER  IXSKIP  IS  DEAD  !  " 

And  did  this  "end  all?"  Far  from  it!  He  never  was  more 
alive,  more  potent  in  sacred  influence,  eloquence  and  power,  than 
that  day,  lying  here  Avith  palsied  hands  folded,  and  heart  still,  but 
remembered  so  vividly  by  the  multitudes  his  earnest  labors  had  won 
to  Christ  and  a  holy  life.  In  the  affections  intensified  by  his  five 
months  of  illness,  his  name  embalmed  shall  be  precious. 

FUNERAL  SERVICES  AT   OCEAN  GROVE. 

It  was  here  by  the  sounding  sea.  Brother  Inskip  delighted  most 
to  live,  and  it  was  here,  as  we  learn,  he  preferred  to  close  his  labors 
and  his  life.    God  gave  him  the  desire  of  his  heart. 


IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


31 


Thorne  Cottage,  formerly  his  own  loved  home,  was  densely 
crowded  on  Monday  evening,  March  10th.  Rev.  J.  Bradds,  of  the 
Baltimore  Conference,  opened  the  impressive  services  with  prayer, 
Rev.  W.  H.  Meeker,  of  Troy  Conference,  read  Scripture  lessons,  and 
Rev.  Brother  Pepper  of  the  Standard,  Philadelphia,  announced  one 
of  the  favorite  hymns,  which  cheered  Brother  Inskip's  dying  hours, 
which  was  tenderly  sung,  Mr.  Dey  and  the  St.  Paul's  choir  leading. 

ADDRESS  BY  THE  REV.  WM.  B.  OSBORN. 

To  the  loving  tribute  paid  by  Brother  Osborn,  who  shared  so 
long  the  confidence  and  affection  of  the  departed  standard  bearer, 
we  cannot  do  full  justice  here.  His  reminiscences  were  pathetic — 
thrilling.  The  two  men  were  early  bound  together  by  indissoluble 
ties.  Side  by  side  they  labored  at  great  camp-meetings  in  this 
country.  They  met  in  India,  evangelized  in  Australia,  and  loved  as 
David  and  Jonathan.  It  was  his  sad  office,  and  yet  a  privilege  to 
be  much  with  his  friend  during  his  illness,  and  down  to  the  last 
moment  of  life.  He  held  his  hand  while  dying,  and  repeated 
Wesley's  words  as  the  spirit  took  its  flight : 

Servant  of  God,  well  done  ! 
Thy  glorious  warfare's  past, 
The  battle's  fought,  the  victory's  won, 
And  thou  art  crowned  at  last." 

He  has  met  his  old  associates,  Wells,  Coleman,  Lawrence  and 
Cookman,  and  an  unnumbered  multitude  who  preceded  him  to  the 
world  of  light. 

Rev.  S.  Jaquett,  who,  with  Brothers  Ballard,  Beegle  and  others, 
had  been  almost  daily  in  attendance  at  the  dying  bed,  referred  to 
these  visits  as  a  high  privilege.  It  seemed  §o  near  heaven,  to  be  in 
the  room,  where,  although  faint  and  weary,  Brother  Inskip  was 


32 


IN  MEMOEIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


always  on  the  mountain  top  of  ecstatic\ision.  He  always  roused  up 
during  prayer,  joined  fervently  in  the  song,  and  with  great  emphasis 
could  say  "  Amen  ! "  It  was  quite  near  the  Jordan,  when  they 
last  joined  in  the  old  hymn : 

"  Amen,  amen,  my  soul  replies, 
I'm  bound  to  meet  you  in  the  skies, 
And  claim  my  mansion  there." 

"  When  I  called  on  Friday,"  continued  Father  Jaquett,  "  I  found 
him  going  down  into  the  valley.  He  could  only  recognize  a  friend 
by  touch  of  the  hand.  While  seated  there,  this  thought  pressed 
heavily  on  my  mind — dying ;  what  a  tremendous  process  it  is  to  go 
through.  There  was  so  much  vitality  in  his  make-up,  it  seemed 
nature  contended  every  inch  of  the  ground,  and  would  not  yield 
until  disease  had  invaded  all  the  avenues  of  life,  and  then  he  calmly 
and  peacefully  passed  away.  For  him  to  live  was  Christ,  and  to 
die  was  gain." 

"  O  may  we  triumph  so 

When  all  our  warfare's  past, 
And  dying  find  our  latest  foe 

Under  our  feet  at  last." 

WONDERFUL  WAYS  OF  PROVIDENCE. 

Kev.  H.  B.  Beegle  referred  to  the  circles  in  which  divine  provi- 
dence moves,  and  orders  our  lives.  Bro.  Inskip,  he  said,  was  one 
of  the  originators  of  Ocean  Grove,  and  one  of  the  first  members  of 
the  Association.  When  the  enterprise  was  first  broached  to  him  by 
Bro  Osborn,  his  heart  took  a  strong  hold  of  the  enterprise,  and  has 
always  felt  a  deep  interest  in  its  welfare.  He  came  here  to  make  it 
his  home  ;  but  circumstances  called  him  elsewhere,  and  yet  from 
this  very  spot  he  started  on  his  evangelistic  tour  around  the  globe, 
and  to  this  place  he  returned  covered  with  the  trophies  he  had  won 


IN  MEMORTAM-REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


33 


for  Christ  in  that  career  of  triumph.  When  recently  he  felt  his 
strength  failing,  he  longed  to  reach  this  home  by  the  sea,  and  here 
he  finished  his  course.  Doctor  Palmer  only  recently  went  up  from 
an  adjacent  cottage,  and  now  these  holy  men  have  met  hard  by  the 
throne.  Bro.  Beegle,  in  conclusion,  touchingly  alluded  to  his  last 
interviews  with  family  and  friends  and  considered  it  in  accordance 
with  God's  harmonious  plan  that  the  last  words  to  go  sounding  on 
through  the  churches  should  in  his  case  be,  "  triumph  !  triumph  !  !  " 

VICE  PRESIDENT  BALLARD, 

who  in  the  stead  of  Dr.  Stokes  and  Secretary  Evans,  both  absent, 
had  all  along  felt  it  to  be  his  province  to  pay  the  utmost  attention 
to  our  illustrious  friend  and  associate,  visiting  him  daily,  here 
offered  prayer,  and  Bro.  Osborn  remarked,  "  On  that  morning  of 
triumph,  referred  to  by  the  brethren,  he  drew  his  wife  down  close  to 
him,  took  her  hands  in  his,  assured  her  of  his  love,  then  taking  her 
right  hand  and  lifting  it  up,  he  said,  '  victory,  triumph,'  and  we 
joined  in  singing  one  of  his  favorite  hymns,  the  '  Sweet  bye  and 
bye.'  The  hymn  was  then  sung  by  Prof.  Dey  and  choir  all  joining 
in  the  beautiful  strains, 

"  There's  a  land  that  is  fairer  than  day, 

And  by  faith  we  can  see  it  afar : 
For  our  Father  waits  over  the  way, 

To  prepare  us  a  dwelling  place  there. 

In  the  sweet  bye  and  bye, 
We  shall  meet  on  that  beautiful  shore." 

The  services  closed  with  the  benediction  by  Kev.  F.  M.  Collins, 
of  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  and  after  a  farewell  look  at  the 
remains,  the  beautiful  casket  was  closed  to  be  conveyed  next  morn- 
ing to  the  place  of  burial. 
3 


34 


IN  MEMOEIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


A    CONSECRATION  SCENE. 

The  service  of  the  evening  previous  at  the  house  where  Bro. 
Inskip  died,  in  the  presence  of  many  of  his  old  friends  of  Ocean 
Grove,  touched  with  their  holy  sweetness  all  the  saddened  hearts 
whose  relationships  to  him  were  now  broken.  In  the  morning  which 
followed,  and  on  which  all  that  v\^as  mortal  of  him,  were  to  be  taken 
away,  Bro.  Ballard  who  had  spoken  to  God  almost  daily  with  him 
since  his  last  attack,  conducted  the  family  worship  with  his  widow 
and  grandson,  together  with  Mrs.  and  Miss  Thorne,  whose  gentle 
ministrations  of  kindliness  had  done  so  much  toward  lightening  his 
sufferings,  nor  forgetting  little  Lawrence  who  had  so  often  been  the 
companion  of  Bro.  Inskip  in  his  walks  around  the  Grove. 

This  worship  was  held  at  the  request  of  Sister  Inskip  around  the 
coffin  of  her  husband,  and  concluded  by  a  consecrating  prayer  made 
by  herself,  in  which,  in  the  presence  of  her  dead,  she  dedicated  again 
in  its  loneliness  the  life  she  had  so  often  dedicated  in  companionship 
with  him  to  the  work  of  Jesus,  saying  in  her  own  inimitable  way, 
"  I  know  it  will  please  him  better  for  me  to  pass  the  rest  of  my  life 
in  this  way  than  to  sit  with  folded  hands  weeping  over  his  memory." 
It  was  the  sensible  thought  of  this  devoted  sister  that  the  nervous 
reaction  from  her  incessant  watching  and  nursing  night  and  day  for 
the  last  five  months,  would  be  better  relieved  by  the  alterative  of 
labor,  than  by  the  repose  of  inactivity. 

The  mournful  cortege  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Sexton,  as 
undertaker,  who  had  charge  of  all  the  funeral  services,  left  the 
Grove  in  the  9  o'clock  train  for  New  York,  thus  closing  an  often 
expressed  wish  of  Bro.  Inskip's  that  he  might  be  permitted  to  die 
at  Ocean  Grove  and  be  buried  from  its  sacred  precincts,  in  a  manner 
which  human  foresight  could  not  have  anticipated,  and  yet  which 
was  unmistakably  the  working  of  the  Lord's  providence. —  Ocean 
Grove  Record. 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


35 


MEMORIAL  SERVICE  IN  NEW  YORK. 

The  funeral  cortege  from  Ocean  Grove  on  arriving  at  New  York, 
was  met  by  friends  with  carriages,  and  proceeded  to  the  Asbury  M. 
E.  Church,  East  Washington  Square,  formerly  Green  street,  of 
which  Bro.  Inskip  had  once  been  pastor,  and  the  members  of  which, 
now  desired  the  honor  of  having  the  last  public  services  conducted 
in  presence  of  his  remains.  The  gathering  was  such  as  befitted  a 
distinguished  public  character — one  whose  life  had  been  spent  in 
endeavors  to  benefit  in  higher  forms,  his  fellow  men.  It  was  an 
impressive  sight,  as  the  funeral  procession  moved  slowly  up  the 
aisle,  to  see  so  many  of  Bro.  Inskip's  brethren  in  the  ministry,  acting 
as  "pall-bearers,"  led  by  Dr.  H.  H.  Ferris,  pastor  of  Asbury 
Church,  who  read  the  burial  service  as  they  approached  the  altar, 
where  the  casket  was  placed,  and  upon  which  lay  a  most  appro- 
priate emblem — a  bundle  of  sheaves — besides  other  floral  designs. 

Many  ministers  were  present  from  a  distance  as  well  as  those  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  York.  Among  those  we  recognized  were  Revs. 
McDonald,  Wood,  Searles,  Lowry,  McLean,  Hughes,  Boole,  Parker, 
Osborn,  Pepper,  Short,  Simmons,  Ballard,  Gorham,  Daniels,  Thomas, 
Currey,  Buckley,  McGreggor,  Reis,  Johns,  Cookman,  Haviland,  and 
Hon.  J.  Sleeper  of  Boston  ;  also  many  others  that  time  and  space 
will  not  permit  to  name.  In  consequence  of  sickness  Rev.  W.  L. 
Gray  of  Philadelphia,  and  one  of  the  N.  C.  M.  A.  was  unable  to  be 
present. 

Dr.  Buckley,  editor  of  the  Christian  Advocate,  announced  the 
991st  hymn, 

"  Servant  of  God,  well  done." 

Prayer  was  then  offered  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Wood,  after  which  Dr. 
Lowry  read  the  23d  Psalm,  also  2d  and  3d  verses  of  1st  Peter,  1st 
chapter. 


36 


IN  MEMORIlM— KEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


Rev.  G.  Hughes  read  the  970th  hymn, 

"  Why  do  we  mourn  for  dying  friends  V 

and  said  Bro.  Inskip  voluntarily  sang  one  verse  of  this  hymn,  a 
short  time  previous  to  his  death,  but  could  proceed  no  farther. 

Rev.  Wm.  McDonald,  his  associate  from  the  beginning  of  the 
National  Camp-meetings,  commenced  his  remarks  by  saying  he  felt 
his  place  was  rather  among  the  mourners.  I  have  known  our 
departed  brother  perhaps  more  intimately  than  any  other  man  ; 
having  traveled  over  land  and  sea  and  fighting  with  him  many 
religious  battles  for  seventeen  years.  Few  men  were  loved  more 
ardently  than  this  man ;  few  men  had  more  ardent  friends.  His 
death  will  be  mourned  all  around  the  world.  The  question  will  be 
asked.  Is  John  S.  Inskip  dead  ?  Is  he  ?  Shall  we  listen  to  his  voice 
no  more  ?  The  echo  will  say,  "  No  more  !  "  To  J.  S.  Inskip,  more 
than  to  any  other  man,  is  due  the  widespread  influence  of  the  doc- 
trine of  Holiness.  Not  that  he  was  more  pious,  or  more  wise  than 
some  others,  but  his  persistent,  quenchless  zeal  to  push  Holiness, 
inspired  all  around  to  work.  He  slew  on  the  right  and  on  the  left 
in  living;  and  will  doubtless  in  dying.  No  wonder  his  last  word 
was  "  triumph  !  "  He  was  an  enthusiast  in  the  best  sense  of  that 
word !  No  matter  what  truth  commanded  his  attention,  it  had  the 
whole  of  him,  whether  temperance  or  any  other  reform — so  in 
Holiness.  When  his  convictions  were  settled  in  regard  to  the  work 
of  Holiness,  his  whole  being  was  given  to  it.  He  often  reached  his 
conclusions  more  from  emotions  than  reason.  His  instincts  were 
right  on  the  line  of  salvation.  No  man  has  lived  who  was  better 
qualified  to  lead  a  forlorn  hope  to  wrest  victory  from  what  seemed  to 
be  defeat.  He  was  capable  of  reasoning,  yet  his  best  and  most 
striking  utterances  were  spontaneous.    His  earnestness  was  often 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


37 


taken  for  censoriousness.  He  once  exclaimed,  "  Glory  to  God,  I 
am  as  gay  as  a  lark,  free  as  an  eagle  and  happy  as  an  angel."  He 
is  to-day  what  he  declared  himself  to  be  then,  only  more  abundantly. 
He  possessed  the  power,  above  many,  over  large  assemblies.  In  five 
minutes,  he  could  subdue  a  storm,  and  make  the  craft  ride  on  even 
keel.  He  believed  in  being  religious  and  professing  it,  and  in 
making  others  religious  and  declaring  it.  He  was  earnest.  Some 
one  has  said  of  Bro.  Inskip  :  "  If  the  angel  Gabriel  would  attend  a 
National  Camp-meeting,  J.  S.  Inskip  would  invite  him  forward  for 
prayers,"  and  J.  S.  Inskip  said  "  he  did  not  believe  the  angel  would 
object  to  come."  He  was  a  most  enthusiastic  Methodist.  He  was  a 
Methodist  from  head  to  foot.  He  was  not  a  Methodist  doubter,  but 
a  Methodist  believer.  He  believed  in  the  doctrine  of  entire  sancti- 
fication.  Fie  enjoyed  this  in  his  experience.  He  remembered  the 
second  work  God  wrought  in  his  heart  at  South  Third  St.  Church,  N. 
Y.  He  believed  the  Methodist  Church  was  raised  up  to  spread 
Christian  Holiness.  All  around  this  earth  he  went  as  a  flaming 
herald  proclaiming  there  was  an  uttermost  salvation.  He  did  not 
believe  machinery  saved  souls,  but  religion  was  what  the  Church 
needed,  and  not  more  wheels  to  drive  the  machinery.  He  might 
have  lived  longer  had  he  been  more  economical  of  his  strength,  but 
not  accomplished  more. 

"  Meu  live  in  deeds,  not  years, 

In  thoughts,  not  breaths. 
In  feelings,  not  in  figures  on  a  dial; 
"We  should  count  time  by  heart  throbs. 

He  most  lives,  who  thinks  most,  feels  the  noblest,  acts  the  best." 

If  life  is  to  be  counted  by  heart  throbs,  then  J.  S.  Inskip  has 
lived  long  ;  longer  than  most  of  us,  if  we  live  forty  years  to  come. 
This  man  has  come  down  from  his  highest  honors  at  mid-day. 


38  IN  MEMORIAM-REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


Some  one  has  said,  "  If  the  sun  were  to  go  out  to  be  seen  no 
more,  it  would  be  grander  to  drop  from  the  heavens  at  mid-day, 
than  to  sink,  however  gracefully,  to  its  setting  in  the  west."  He 
is  one  that  will  never  die.  He  has  met  Cookman,  Wells,  Cole- 
man, and  others  who  passed  on  before.  Think  you  that  J.  S 
Inskip,  as  he  stands  on  the  celestial  shore,  and  who  was  so  enthusi- 
astic for  Holiness,  regrets  it  now?  If  he  had  the  privilege  of 
coming  back  I  think  he  would  thunder  more  than  ever.  All  we 
can  say  to  the  weeping  ones  is,  "  Look  up !"  This  dear  sister 
who  walked  side  by  side  for  so  many  years — no  hearts  more  united. 
Dear  Sister  Inskip,  look  up !  look  up !  All  Heaven  looks  down 
to-day.  His  old  comrades  are  here — the  battle  is  over  with  him 
— he  has  fought  his  last  battle.  Farewell,  great  warrior,  with 
whom  I  have  fought  over  a  thousand  battles.  Farewell,  my  more 
than  brother,  though  your  life  was  somewhat  stormy,  your  end 
was  as  calm  as  a  summer  evening. 

"  Oh,  may  I  triumph  so, 

When  all  my  warfare's  past, 
And  dying  find  my  latest  foe 

Under  my  feet  at  last," 

At  the  conclusion  of  Bro.  McDonald's  address,  a  telegram  was 
read  from  Bishop  Simpson,  extending  deepest  sympathy,  and  regret- 
ting he  was  unable  to  go  out  of  the  house.  Eev.  E.  I.  D.  Pepper, 
the  present  editor  of  the  Christian  Standard,  then  paid  his  beautiful 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  dear  Bro.  Inskip,  which  you  will  find  com- 
plete on  page  3  of  this  volume. 

Dr.  Curry  next  arose,  and  said  owing  to  the  shortness  of  time,  he 
would  reserve  his  speech  for  the  Conference,  but  continued  by  say- 
ing J.  S.  Inskip  was  a  many-sided  man — he  has  some  other  sides 
equally  worthy  of  being  noticed  as  those  presented  here  to-day.  I 


IN  MEMOEIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


39 


have  known  him  over  thirty  years.  We  were  certainly  unlike,  and 
yet  loved  each  other  fondly.  I  have  never  seen  the  equal  of  his 
experience,  which  to  me  was  the  most  rational,  as  he  related  it  in 
South  Third  Street  Church.  His  brethren  in  the  ministry  were 
better  off  from  being  associated  with  him,  and  he  was  better  off  from 
being  associated  with  them. 

Rev.  A.  E.  Ballard,  of  the  New^  Jersey  Conference,  remarked : 
When  he  was  in  charge  at  Vineland  National  Camp-Meeting,  he 
received  a  despatch  saying  he  must  go  home,  as  his  daughter  was 
dying.  Bro.  Inskip  said,  "  Not  yet,  not  yet and  immediately  led 
the  congregation  in  prayer  for  the  daughter's  restoration.  At  4 
P.  M.  his  family  sat  waiting  for  her  death,  and  could  not  account 
for  the  sudden  favorable  change.  On  Bro.  Inskip's  return  from  the 
trip  around  the  world  he  said  he  should  spend  his  last  days  there, 
meaning  Ocean  Grove.  Heaven  lit  the  outward  form  of  J.  S.  Inskip 
amid  the  greatest  suffering.  His  wife  once  said,  "  Papa,  if  you  had 
not  labored  so  hard  you  might  have  lived  longer."  He  replied :  "  I 
am  so  glad  I  worked  as  I  did."  Last  Thursday  there  came  such  a 
transfiguration — wondrous  glory —visible  to  the  rest.  He  would 
join  in  singing, 

"  Oh,  'tis  glory  in  my  soul, 

"  Is  not  this  the  land  of  Beulah  ?" 

"  Then  palms  of  victory." 

He  pressed  his  wife  to  his  bosom  as  if  he  did  not  know  how  to  go  to 
heaven  without  her.  I  never  saw  one  so  glorify  God  in  death  and 
have  such  manifested  glory  as  J.  S.  Inskip.  His  last  word  was 
"  triumph." 

Rev.  S.  W.  Thomas  then  read  resolutions  from  the  Preachers' 
Meeting  of  Philadelphia.  Prayer  was  then  offered  by  Rev.  J.  E. 
Searles,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  the  congregation  united  with  the 


40 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


choir  in  singing  "  The  Sweet  By-and-By."  As  the  last  verse  was 
sung  we  could  distinguish  the  clear  voice  of  Sister  Inskip,  which 
seemed  as  if  an  angel  had  suddenly  joined  in  the  chorus,  and  thrilled 
every  heart. 

While  gazing  on  his  precious,  lifeless  casket,  for  we  felt  the  jewel 
was  blazing  before  the  throne,  our  tears  flowed  freely,  mingling  in 
deepest  sympathy  with  his  beloved  wife.  We  felt  not  only  has  the 
great  warrior  fallen,  or  that  the  Church  and  the  world  have  sustained 
a  loss,  but  that  we  were  again  bereaved  of  a  father.  Like  the  dis- 
ciples of  Jesus,  a  number  "  desired  to  see  the  place  where  he  lay," 
consequently  followed  the  remains  of  our  beloved  brother  to  his  last 
resting  place.  Greenwood  Cemetery.  After  the  concluding  burial 
services  by  E,ev.  I.  Simmons,  Rev.  Wm.  Osborn  said,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  every  National  Camp-Meeting  it  was  Bro.  Inskip's  custom 
to  sing  the  good  old  battle  hymn,  "  There  is  a  Fountain  filled  with 
Blood,"  and  it  was  Sister  Inskip's  request  we  sing  three  verses,  in 
which,  amid  streaming  tears,  she  joined,  and  sang  as  if  by  her  hus- 
band's side  at  a  camp-meeting.  After  singing  three  verses.  Sister 
Inskip  said,  "  I  think  we  had  better  sing  a  fourth,"  and  looking 
down  into  the  grave  and  then  up  towards  heaven,  as  though  talking 
to  her  sainted  husband,  in  notes  so  clear  and  beautiful  sang : 

"  And  if  our  fellowship  below 
In  Jesus  be  so  sweet, 
What  heights  of  rapture  shall  we  know, 
When  round  His  throne  we  meet  ? " 

During  all  these  solemn  services  our  hearts  cried  unto  God  that  a 
double  portion  of  His  Spirit  might  rest  upon  the  remaining  brethren 
of  "  The  National  Camp-Meeting  Association  for  the  Promotion  of 
Holiness,"  and  all  the  ministers  as  well  as  ourselves,  that  we  might 
lovingly,  fearlessly,  courageously  and  successfully  follow  the  earnest 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP.  41 


exhortations  of  our  deceased  leader,  in  lifting  the  banner  of  Holi- 
ness and  \Yinning  thousands  of  trophies  to  lay  at  the  feet  of  Jesus 
while  we  crown  Him  Lord  of  all. 

Mrs.  Lidie  H.  Kenney. 

action  of  the  philadelphia  conference. 

This  Conference  esteems  it  a  pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  the 
hallowed  zeal,  the  entire  devotion  to  Christ,  and  the  great  usefulness 
in  the  Church,  of  our  Brother  John  S.  Inskip,  who,  as  editor  of  the 
Christian  Standard,  resided  for  so  many  years  among  us. 

We  find  solace  in  his  decease,  only  in  a  trustful  acquiescence  in 
the  Divine  Will. 

We  hereby  extend  to  Sister  Inskip  in  her  bereavement  our  heart- 
felt sympathies  and  prayers. 

E.  I.  D.  Pepper. 
Andrew  Longacre. 
M.  J).  Kurtz. 
Samuel  Pancoast. 

action  of  the  philadelphia  preachers'  meeting. 
Kev.  J.  S.  Inskip,  a  member  of  the  New  York  East  Conference, 
late  editor  of  the  Christian  Standard,  and,  until  recently,  for  sev- 
eral years  a  resident  of  Philadelphia,  died  at  Ocean  Grove,  Friday, 
March  7,  1884.  His  ability  as  a  preacher,  decided  views  on  great 
moral  questions  in  Church  and  State,  courage  and  boldness  in  the 
advocacy  of  his  convictions,  power  and  skill  in  the  organization  of 
large  masses  of  people  for  direct  spiritual  results,  zeal  in  the  pro- 
mulgation of  the  doctrine  of  holiness,  in  these  and  other  lands,  these 
and  other  striking  features  of  his  character  and  life  have  made  him 
for  many  years  a  great  spiritual  and  Church  force  wherever  he  has 
lived  and  labored.    We  lameait  his  death  as  one  of  the  leaders  of 


42 


IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


God's  people,  but  acknowledge  with  gratitude  to  God  the  many  years 
he  has  been  spared  to  the  Church,  and  also  our  esteem  for  his 
Christian  and  ministerial  character  and  work. 

He  illustrated  in  his  Christian  experience  the  power  of  God's 
grace  to  control  and  lead  in  a  heavenly  direction  a  man  of  strong 
nature  and  pronounced  individuality,  and  the  sufficiency  of  the  grace 
to  keep  him  in  peace  and  joy  w^hen  prostrated  by  disease  and  in  the 
presence  of  death.  We  tender  our  condolence  to  the  wife  and 
family  of  our  deceased  brother,  and  beseech  for  them  the  special 
mercy  and  favor  of  God  in  this  trial. 

A.  Atwood. 
I.  R.  Merrill. 
S.  W.  Thomas. 
E.  I.  D.  Pepper. 
W.  L.  Gray. 
  W.  Swindells. 

TRIBUTE  OF  AFFECTION. 


BY  REV.  E.  M.  LEVY,  D.  D. 


^  HE  readers  of  the  Christian  Standard,  and  thousands  of 
others  in  this  and  in  foreign  lands,  have  heard  with  the 
deepest  grief  the  death  of  this  great  and  holy  man  of  God. 
A  man  so  distinguished,  so  freighted  with  personal  and 
spiritual  endowments,  and  so  linked  with  the  cause  of  ho- 
liness, could  not  pass  away  without  the  meed  of  tears.  The  same 
blow  which  made  the  fond  wife  a  widow,  has  dissolved  many  other 
ties,  has  made  vacant  the  highest  place  of  influence  in  the  Associa- 
tion with  which  he  had  been  so  long  identified,  and  has  opened 
fountains  of  sorrow  in  the  hearts  of  his  friends  in  every  State,  and 


IN  MEMOEIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP.  43 


in  every  city,  village  and  hamlet,  tlirougliout  our  country,  as  well 
as  throughout  the  woi'ld.  For  in  what  part  of  the  globe  was  he  not 
known  and  loved?  Where  shall  we  find  a  spot  on  which  Chris- 
tianity has  planted  her  standard,  where  his  heroic  defense  of  "  pure 
and  undefiled  religion  "  has  not  been  an  inspiration  ? 

I  can  hardly  trust  myself  to  write  a  single  line  concerning  an 
event  which  has  touched  me  so  keenly.  Few  there  are  that  have 
lost  so  much  in  a  single  friend ;  and  yet  I  bless  God  that  I  had 
such  a  friend  to  lose.  As  Beza  said  of  Calvin,  and  as  Mather  said 
of  Flavel,  "  Since  he  has  died,  life  will  be  less  sweet,  and  death  less 
bitter  to  us."  I  was  not  permitted  to  weep  at  his  open  tomb,  but,  at 
the  hour  appointed  for  his  interment,  although  many  miles  away,  I 
stood  there  in  spirit,  and  wrapped  in  my  own  silent  sorrow,  I  felt 
that  the  half  of  myself  were  being  laid  in  that  grave. 

Our  departed  brother  was  a  man  of  rare  worth.  What  was  said 
of  Kichard  the  Lion-hearted  might  with  truth  be  said  of  him  :  "  He 
was  brave,  honest,  magnanimous.  He  had  fortitude  as  well  as  cour- 
age, coolness  as  well  as  daring,  skill  as  well  as  valor."  At  times  he 
was  a  man  of  war,  going  forth  to  the  fray  with  the  fire  in  his  eye, 
/  and  the  thunder  of  battle  on  his  brow.  At  other  times  he  was  as 
gentle  as  a  nurse,  staunching  the  wounds,  and  pouring  into  them  the 
precious  oil  of  consolation.  A  scene  in  my  own  Church  is  now  in 
my  mind.  He  had  been  preaching  with  wonderful  power  on  his 
favorite  theme.  I  never  knew  him  to  rise  to  such  heights  of  invec- 
tive and  sarcasm.  As  a  tornado  sweeps  through  a  forest,  so  did  he 
sweep  away  all  opposition.  Many  held  their  breath  at  the  crash 
and  the  roar  of  that  hour.  But  soon  the  storm  passed  by,  his  voice 
was  heard,  like  the  soft  treble  of  a  bird,  singing  : — 

"My  life  flows  on  in  endless  song; 
Above  earth's  lamentation 


44 


IN  MEMORIAxVE— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


I  catch  the  sweet,  tho'  far  off  hymn 

That  hails  a  new  creation ; 
Through  all  the  tumult  and  the  strife, 

I  hear  the  music  ringing  ; 
It  finds  an  echo  in  my  soul, 

How  can  I  keep  from  singing  ?  " 

The  front  seats  were  quickly  filled  with  seekers.  I  watched  this 
great  Field  Marshal  as  he  passed  from  seat  to  seat,  now  like  a  tender 
mother,  comforting  and  healing  those  who  Avere  sick  of  self  and  sin. 

In  the  eyes  of  strangers,  and  indeed  of  all  who  only  heard  him 
casually,  his  manner  had  an  air  almost  of  unnecessary  severity,  es- 
pecially when  in  the  presence  of  ministers  of  his  own  Church  who 
opposed  the  doctrine  so  clearly  taught  in  their  creed.  Those  who 
were  acquainted  with  him,  however,  soon  forgot  this  ;  or,  rather,  it 
was  to  them  a  matter  of  surprise,  that  one  so  cordial,  and  affection- 
ate, and  tender,  and  truly  humble,  could  be  so  misunderstood. 

Mr.  Inskip  was  much  more  sensitive  to  the  good  opinion  of  his 
ministerial  brethren  than  is  generally  supposed.  But  he  loved 
truth  supremely.  He  would  follow  it,  lead  where  it  might.  It  was 
a  great  element  of  strength  in  his  character.  He  was  wisely  com- 
pliant if  occasion  required  it,  on  unimportant  points.  Yet  when  a 
matter  of  principle  was  at  hand,  when  he  was  evidently  called  to 
take  his  stand  for  truth  and  righteousness,  then,  whoever  and  what- 
ever might  oppose,  he  was  steadfast  and  unmovable.  There  was  a 
guilelessness  of  nature  about  him  too,  that  was  beautiful.  He  had 
nothing  to  conceal.  He  was  indeed  a  book,  "known  and  read  of 
all  men."  Of  him  it  might  be  well  said :  "  His  heart  was  in  his 
mouth."  The  utterances  of  his  tongue  were  the  pure,  fresh  coinage 
of  his  mind. 

He  was  a  genial  fellow-laborer,  unselfish,  appreciative,  consider- 
ate, sympathizing.   He  seemed  as  much  at  home  in  a  Baptist  pulpit, 


IN  MEMOKIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


45 


or  a  Friends'  meeting,  as  in  a  Methodist  Church.  He  had,  indeed, 
his  denominational  preferences,  but  he  was  not  slow  to  detect  or 
commend  what  was  good  and  beautiful  in  others.  He  embraced  in 
his  large  warm  heart,  all  who  love  Christ  without  regard  to  their 
creed  or  name.  But  especially  was  he  attached  to  those  of  every 
denomination  who  were  engaged  with  himself  in  the  spread  of 
Scriptural  holiness.  Among  the  last  acts  of  his  life  was  an  effort  to 
secure  and  print  a  work  on  entire  sanctification  from  the  pen  of 
representative  men  of  every  denomination. 

Mr.  Inskip  was  a  great  preacher.  There  are  profounder  thinkers, 
men  of  greater  culture  and  learning,  but  few  excelled  him  in  effec- 
tive preaching.  In  some  of  his  camp-meeting  discourses,  I  am  sure, 
there  was  not  only  good  logic,  but  a  lithe  and  buoyant  play  of 
intellect,  an  outpouring  of  heart,  a  variety  and  freshness,  and  often 
brilliancy  and  style,  seldom  equalled.  Now  a  condensed  and  pithy 
statement  would  arrest  your  attention ;  now  an  apt  and  striking 
figure;  now  a  fine  descriptive  touch;  now  an  outburst  of  most 
heavenly  emotion.  In  the  exposition  and  enforcement  of  the  doc- 
trine of  holiness  he  was  unsurpassed.  In  the  National  Camp- 
meeting  Association,  he  was  not  only  one  of  its  founders,  but  the 
chief  object  of  attraction.  I  would  not  give  undue  prominence  to 
the  labors  of  our  glorified  brother.  Could  he  speak  to  us  from  his 
heights  of  bliss,  he  would  forbid  my  doing  so.  And  yet,  if  you  ask 
for  the  results  of  his  labors  in  this  department  of  the  holiness  move- 
ment, I  reply,  summon  up,  if  you  can,  the  wonderful  scenes  of 
Divine  power  witnessed  in  the  fifty-four  National  Camp  Meetings 
already  held,  call  up  to  your  mind's  eye  the  thousands  and  tens  of 
thousands  that  thronged  the  altars  as  seekers  of  pardon  or  purity. 
Listen  to  the  cries  of  convicted  sinners,  and  the  groanings  of  be- 
lievers for  deliverance  from  the  bondage  of  death.    Hear  the  shouts 


46 


IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


of  young  converts,  and  the  Hallelujahs  of  the  fully  saved.  Aye, 
listen  to  the  harpings  of  many  already  before  the  throne  of  glory, 
who  first  sang,  "  I'm  redeemed,  I'm  washed  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb,"  in  these  great  convocations.  And  with  all  of  them  our 
departed  brother's  name,  influence,  sermons,  prayers,  and  sanctified 
genius,  are  forever  linked. 

But  we  forbear  to  proceed  farther.  Space  will  not  permit  it. 
Our  heart  is  full.  He  has  passed  within  the  vail,  and  we  shall  see 
him  no  more ;  but  his  memory  is  safe  everywhere. 

"  Servant  of  Christ,  well  done, 
Rest  from  thy  loved  employ  ; 
The  battle  fought,  the  victory  won, 
Enter  thy  Master's  joy. 

Tranquil  amidst  alarms,  • 

It  found  him  on  the  field, 
A  veteran  slumbering  on  his  arms, 

Beneath  his  red-cross  shield." 


THE  REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP  RESTS. 


^^FTER  severe  illness  continuing  through  several  months,  and 
giving  rise  to  false  reports  of  his  death,  the  Rev.  John  S. 
Inskip  quietly  breathed  his  last  at  the  Thorne  House, 
Ocean  Grove,  on  Friday  last  at  four  P.  M.  For  so  strong 
a  man  he  died  comparatively  young.  The  date  of  his 
birth  is  August  10,  1816,  which  makes  him  less  than  sixty-eight 
years  old.  He  came  to  this  country  at  five  years  of  age  from  Eng- 
land, his  native  country.  According  to  the  best  authority  within 
our  reach,  he  was  converted  in  his  sixteenth  year,  under  the  minis- 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


47 


try  of  tlie  late  Bishop  Scott,  and  before  he  was  nineteen  commenced 
preaching  under  the  direction  of  the  presiding  elder.  In  1836  he 
joined  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  and  nine  years  later  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Cincinnati,  where  he  remained  a  number  of  years.  On 
a  question  at  issue  between  himself  and  that  body  he  appealed  to 
the  General  Conference  of  1852,  which  sustained  him.  He  very 
soon  came  to  the  New  York  Conference ;  thence  was  transferred  to 
the  Baltimore,  and  finally  to  the  New  York  East,  of  which  he 
remained  a  member  until  his  death. 

Having  enjoyed  his  acquaintance  for  twenty-six  years,  and  asso- 
ciated with  him  in  Conference  for  eighteen  years,  the  writer  has 
had  opportunity  to  observe  him  closely,  to  note  the  various  changes 
in  his  religious  experience  and  views,  and  to  study  the  peculiarities 
which  rendered  him  a  personality  so  marked  and  gave  him  an 
influence  so  stimulating.  'Our  conclusions  have  not  been  formed 
hastily ;  and  we  know  no  reason  why  they  should  not  be  frankly 
submitted  to  the  Church. 

Physically,  Brother  Inskip  was  remarkable  for  great  strength, 
being  of  medium  height,  stoutly  built,  short  limbed,  having  abun- 
dant room  for  the  vital  organs.  His  head  was  large,  somewhat 
unusual  in  shape,  and  firmly  set  upon  a  short  neck.  His  features 
were  in  harmony  with  such  a  frame,  and,  without  the  light  which  a 
heart  softened  by  grace  gave  to  his  eye  and  smile,  would  have  sug- 
gested a  combative  and  passionate  as  well  as  a  most  determined 
disposition.  Like  the  late  William  Morley  Punshon,  there  was 
nothing  of  the  spiritual,  the  poetical,  or  the  gentle  in  his  natural 
expression  as  viewed  by  a  stranger.  Withal,  Brother  Inskip  was 
capable  of  the  most  intense  oratorical  excitement.  It  was  that 
blending  of  physical,  mental,  and  emotional  excitement  which,  if 
unchastened  by  religion  or  unrestrained  by  prudence,  would  have 


48  IX  MEMORIAM— EEY.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


made  him  a  leader  of  masses  of  men  intent  upon  acts  of  an  aggressive 
character.  On  the  field  of  battle— if  he  had  been  trained  to  it — 
this  susceptibility  would  have  made  him  a  Sheridan  or  a  Stonewall 
Jackson.  His  voice  was  very  peculiar.  It  Avas  high-pitched,  and 
when  he  was  unstirred  it  was  almost  womanish  in  tone.  But  if 
aroused,  unlike  many  with  a  similar  characteristic,  it  took,  not  the 
bass  note,  but  became  a  loud,  clarion  tone,  which  could  be  heard  to 
the  very  outskirts  of  the  largest  encampment.  Its  changes  in  prayer 
as  a  wave  of  emotion  rolled  over  him  were  startling,  and  in  oratory 
his  great  physical  strength  enabled  him  to  lift  a  congregation  almost 
bodily,  fire  it  with  his  own  enthusiasm,  and  cause  billow  after  billow 
of  excitement  to  sweep  over  it.  In  the  days  of  his  power,  at  the 
Old  Red  Lion  Camp-meeting  in  Delaware,  he  could  shake  the 
encampment  as  Samson  did  the  temple  of  Dagon,  though  he  shook 
to  save,  and  not  to  destroy. 

Bro.  Inskip  was  naturally  a  combatant.  As  an  anti-slavery  man 
he  said  fiery  things  and  shouted  with  delight  amid  the  awful  storm. 
Like  an  eagle  his  impetuous  spirit  defied  restraint,  and  he  spoke 
and  acted  as  one  born  for  revolution.  In  those  days  he  Avas  a  man 
of  ordinary  piety,  subject  to  the  infirmities  common  to  men  of  his 
temperament,  successful  in  revivals,  mighty  in  preaching  special 
sermons  on  temperance,  valuable  as  a  helper  to  his  brethren  in  a 
series  of  meetings,  and,  as  already  intimated,  in  great  demand  at 
camp-meeting-s.  In  his  intercourse  with  ministers  and  Churches  he 
exhibited  a  strong  will,  and  though  tender  and  yielding  when  not 
roused,  was  firm  to  obstinacy  after  he  had  set  himself  The  doctrine 
and  the  professors  of  entire  sanctification  he  regarded  with  indiffer- 
ence, if  not  suspicion. 

We  shall  leave  to  those  who  have  been  more  closely  related  to 
him  in  the  work  which  has  made  his  name  and,  we  may  add,  his 


IN  MEMORIAM— EEV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


49 


face  and  voice  known  throughout  the  world,  to  describe  the  cir- 
cumstances which  led  to  a  change  in  his  views  and  to  his  devoting 
himself  to  the  promotion  of  the  experience  and  doctrine  referred  to 
above.  Our  purpose  is  to  note  its  effect  upon  him.  He  rushed 
with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  his  nature  and  of  a  new  convert  into  the 
work,  and  did  not  at  first,  nor  for  some  years,  exhibit  in  perfection 
the  patience  and  self-control  w^hich  are  the  ripest  fruits  of  the 
highest  attainments  of  grace.  Yet  it  was  obvious  that  a  principle 
was  at  work  in  his  soul  which  was  surely  producing  the  most  radi- 
cal transformation.  His  efforts  at  self-control ;  his  prompt  acknow- 
ledgement when  he  was  led  to  see  that  he  had  been  extravagant  or 
indiscriminate  in  his  denunciations  ;  his  increasing  kindness  to  those 
who  differed  with  him  or  whom  he  supposed  to  look  with  disfavor 
upon  his  movements,  and  the  prevailing  influence  of  a  spirit  ot 
gentleness,  made  it  manifest  to  all  that  John  S.  Inskip  had  met  with 
a  great  change. 

In  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  there  are,  broadly  stated,  four 
classes  on  the  subject  of  Christian  Perfection:  (1)  Those  who  are 
indifferent  to  it,  or  hostile ;  who  do  not  know,  or  knowing,  do  not 
care,  what  Mr.  Wesley's  views  were.  (2)  Those  who  give  to  those 
views  general  consent,  but  in  no  way  stir  themselves  nor  others 
about  them.  (3)  Those  who  believe  with  Wesley,  Fletcher  and  the 
early  Methodists,  preach  the  doctrine,  and  claim  to  enjoy  or  to  be 
seeking  the  experience,  but  do  not  make  a  specialty  of  it,  and  do 
not  attach  much  importance  to  a  definite  public  profession  of  it, 
while  they  do  not  oppose  others  who  do  profess  it,  and  are  not  in 
sympathy  with  meetings  specially  devoted  to  it.  (4)  Those  who 
hold  that  it  may  be  instantaneously  experienced  by  faith,  and 
should  be  at  once  by  all  sincere  and  enlightened  Christians,  that 
special  meetings  should  be  held  for  its  promotion,  and  that  its  expe- 
4 


50  IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


rience  should  be  definitely  professed  on  all  suitable  occasions.  To 
the  fourth  class  Brother  Inskip  allied  himself,  fully  sympathizing 
with  the  late  Mrs.  Phoebe  Palmer  in  her  views  and  methods.  Under 
the  conviction  that  the  first  and  second  of  the  classes  above  men- 
tioned were  in  the  majority,  and  that  the  third  erred  by  defect  of 
zeal  and  want  of  positiveness  in  teaching,  he  put  himself  at  the  head 
of  an  organized  movement  to  arouse  the  Church,  and  spread  the 
doctrine  and  promote  the  experience  of  Perfect  Love.  The  National 
Camp-meeting  Association  was  formed,  and  began  to  traverse  the 
land.  A  weekly  newspaper  was  started  and  a  publication  house  was 
established.  Brother  Inskip  developed  remarkable  capacity  as  a 
manager  and  as  an  editor  of  the  kind  of  paper  which  he  wished  to 
make — intense,  pervaded  by  his  personality,  aggressive,  stimulating, 
and  strongly  defensive  of  doctrine,  persons  and  methods. 

At  a  certain  stage  in  these  movements  many  good  men  and  wise, 
not  at  all  hostile  to  the  Methodist  doctrine  on  this  subject,  doubted 
"whereunto  this  w^ould  grow."  A  narrow  and  bitter  spirit  of 
denunciation  showed  itself  in  certain  sections  of  the  country,  and 
many  things  were  said  which,  in  local  societies  and  in  districts  and 
Conferences  stirred  up  evil  feeling,  and  threatened  to  bring  the 
highest  mystery  of  the  Christian  experience  into  contempt.  With 
his  paper,  his  publishing  house,  his  personal  influence,  the  Rev. 
John  S.  Inskip  had  the  power  to  lay  bare  and  waste  large  tracts  in 
our  Zion ;  to  precipitate  a  secession,  to  lead  out  into  the  wilderness 
many  good  men  and  women,  to  take  out  of  the  body  much  salt  that 
had  not  lost  its  savor,  and  to  leave  the  Church  for  ages  to  antagonize 
the  doctrine  to  which  the  evils  would  be  blindly  attributed  by  many. 
Here  was  the  demand  for  wisdom  and  understanding.  At  that 
crisis — a  condition  occurring  at  no  particular  time,  but  indicated  by 
the  phrase  "stage  of  affairs" — he  stood  for  the  Church  and  its 


IN  MEMORIAM— REV.  JOHN  S.  INSKIP. 


51 


institutions ;  he  opposed  every  thing  that  savored  of  fanaticism  or 
destructiveness ;  he  became  more  guarded  than  he  had  ever  been, 
and  affirmed  that  "  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  just  as  it  is, 
affords  the  best  field  for  the  promotion  of  Christian  holiness  that  the 
world  has  seen  since  the  Apostolic  age."  To-day  the  work  in  which 
he  was  interested  goes  on  within  the  Church  with,  comparatively 
little  friction,  while  fanatical  excrescences  which,  in  some  sections, 
notably  in  certain  parts  of  the  West,  bring  it  into  disrepute,  cannot 
plead  him  in  their  support,  and  are  sloughing  off  from  the  Church 
as  morbid  growths. 

Without  being  construed  into  endorsing,  as  matters  of  judgment, 
all  that  he  did  and  said,  we  record  our  conviction  that  to  John  S. 
Inskip  the  Church  owes  a  sincere  tribute  of  respect  and  affection  as 
a  rousing,  stimulating  force ;  as  the  antidote  and  counterpart  of 
worldliness ;  as  a  visible  exhibition  of  faith,  indefatigable  earnest- 
ness, and  moral  fearlessness ;  and  as  a  herald  calling  the  attention 
of  thousands  to  higher  privileges  than  they  had  ever  dreamed  of 
But  especially  in  behalf  of  the  whole  Church  do  we  commend  him 
for  the  wisdom  with  which  he  tempered  his  zeal  to  the  exigencies  of 
later  years. 

Somewhere  we  have  read  that  in  a  church  at  Florence  there  is 
upon  the  tomb  of  a  soldier,  the  following  inscription:  "Johannes 
Divultius,  who  never  rested,  rests—  hush  !  " 

So  John  S.  Inskip  rests  from  great  and  ceaseless  labors,  and 
many  good  works  follow  him. — Dr.  Buckley,  in  New  York  Christian 
Advocate. 


TRIUMPH!  TRIUMPH! 


REV.  A.  WALLACE,  D.  D. 


"He  shouted  loud,  Hosanna, 
Deliverance  has  come  !  " 


CHIEFTAIN  panoplied  with  sacred  power, 
^H^S^     A  leader  in  the  sacramental  strife, 

Has  reached  at  length  the  painful  parting  hour, 

And  comrades  watch  the  ebbing  tide  of  life. 
It  seems  defeat ;  the  strong  is  stricken  down ; 
The  standard  fallen  from  his  palsied  hand  ; 
Where  now  the  conqueror's  palm,  the  star-gem'd  crown. 
The  glad  acclaim  of  heaven's  pure  white-robed  band  ? 


As  sun-burst  in  the  gloom  of  winter's  sky, 

His  brow  is  radiant  with  unearthly  light; 
Once  more  it  flashes  in  his  glazing  eye. 

And  scenes  seraphic  dawn  upon  his  sight. 
Tlien  "  Triumph !  triumph !"  is  his  dying  song. 

As  chariots  wait  to  bear  him  home  to  God  ; 
And  time  receding,  shall  on  earth  prolong, 

His  final  victory,  through  all  cleansing  blood! 

O  heart  aflame,  thy  full  salvation  theme. 

Is  marching  on  to  compass  this  lost  world ; 
Thy  banner,  with  the  mighty  Saviour's  name, 

Unfolded  once,  shall  never  more  he  furled  ! 
Thy  tongue,  so  eloquent  for  holiness ; 

Thy  pen,  so  ready  in  defence  of  truth. 
Shall  through  succeeding  ages  rouse  and  bless. 

While  memory  robes  thee  in  immortal  youth  ! 


